World No.1 Naomi Osaka has become the only tennis player to be included in this year’s edition of Time’s Magazine’s most influential people.
The Time 100 is an annual list published by the American news magazine. It recognises and celebrates the ‘pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and icons of 2019.’ For each person nominated to be on the list, they have an extract written about them by a fellow celebrity. In Osaka’s case, 18-time grand slam champion Chris Evert paid tribute to the Japanese player.
“Some people want her to embrace a single identity. She’s more concerned with just being herself.” Evert wrote for time.com. “No one represents our more globalized, multicultural future better than this honest, polite, self-deprecating tennis life force, a potential champion for years to come.”
Osaka’s place in the Time 100 is in a section called ‘pioneers.’ Other entrants include actress Sandra Oh, who is the first Asian woman to win two Golden Globes, and Italian restaurateur Massimo Bottura.
The only tennis player in this year’s @TIME 100 Influential People is…@Naomi_Osaka_!
Read more: https://t.co/yISAKWl44m#IMGTennis pic.twitter.com/4c3Lk4OQFh
— IMG Tennis (@IMGTennis) April 17, 2019
The past 18 months have seen the 21-year-old race up the world rankings to become a heavyweight in the world of women’s tennis. After claiming her maiden major title at the US Open, she went on to claim another grand slam at the Australian Open. Something that was last achieved by Serena Williams between 2014-2015. In January, Osaka became the first Asian player – man or women – to top the rankings and remains in that position at present.
Osaka’s surge in popularity has been highlighted by an array of endorsements. Earlier this month, she scored a high-profile deal with Nike. Reportedly skipping other offers from companies such as Uniqlo, according to Japanese media. She also has other deals with Nissan, All Nippon Airways and Proctor & Gamble.
Osaka is set to return to action at the Porsche Grand Prix in Germany later this month.
