Naomi Osaka’s US Open victory against Serena Williams is finally getting the right kind of attention
Photo from Naomi Osaka’s official website
Naomi Osaka, the first Japanese-Haitian player to win a Grand Slam singles title, is set to sign a record-breaking Adidas deal worth an estimated $8.5 million annually.
The 20-year-old, who is currently signed to Adidas on a six-figure deal, made headlines on Sept. 9 after beating Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 in the US Open women’s singles final.
Reports and conversations online tended to focus on Williams’ now infamous tantrums, but Osaka is finally getting the props she deserves as major names in sports apparels are starting to take notice of the young athlete’s talents and marketability.
Osaka grew up in the US but has always chosen to play on behalf of Japan—even signing on to the Japan Tennis Association at the beginning of her career. She’s already made a name for herself as an Asian star and her performance at the US Open has only added to her value. The deal with Adidas is apparently the biggest contract the brand has ever offered to a female athlete, according to Yahoo!.
Signing the deal will make Osaka this year’s second highest paid woman in sports—second only to Williams herself. Her existing deals with Yonex and Nissin Food Group meanwhile are expected to be boosted.
Osaka has also signed a deal this Thursday with automobile giant Nissan Motor Co. who named her as brand ambassador. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the Yokohama-based car company said in a statement that Osaka will be appearing in their global promotions, while Nissan will be supporting her tennis career. A spokesman also said that the deal is set to expire in three years.
Learn more about the Japanese-Haitian superstar here: