Naomi Osaka is one of the most interesting characters in tennis. The Japanese sensation has already won 3 slams under her belt and she became a well-respected activist always defending the rights of the black community.
The former world no.1 started her career with the help of her father Leonard Francois. The Haitian was inspired by Serena and Venus Williams’ father Richard, who coached his daughter without practicing tennis. Naomi’s father did just the same with fantastic results. The Japanese ace then tried to have a “proper coach” as the relationship coach-father could be quite dysfunctional at times.
However, it was interesting that after Naomi fired her coach Jermaine Jenkins in 2019, she decided to be coached again and temporarily by his father. The results were glorious, with Naomi winning back to back the tournaments in Osaka and Beijing.
Naomi and her love for her father
Nevertheless, when stressing that her partnership with her father was just temporary, Naomi jokingly said that at times he can annoy her so much. However, soon after she publicly shared her love for her dad saying:
“All jokes aside, I love my dad so much, and I’m grateful for everything I learn from him on and off the court. I feel extremely lucky to be his kid cause he just drops knowledge.”
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Currently the world no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 12th of September when she beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
Currently, during this season the Japanese has 16-3 match record. Osaka clinched 1 title at the U.S. Open. Osaka was the finalist in New York.