Naomi Osaka

For Japanese sports fans, one of the most interesting and engaging sports to follow is tennis. Known for its intense competitive nature as well as needing an excessive level of discipline to follow along with, Japanese fans can find it one of the most enterprising sports to follow. What Japan has regularly lacked, though, is top-level players who can represent the country at the pinnacle of the sport. That, though, could be subject to change.

At just 19, Naomi Osaka stands out as one of the top players in her age bracket. Already rated in the Top 50 of the WTA Rankings, Osaka has made a massive statement about where her long-term career could take her. She’s achieved more than many far older than her, and with her training taking place at the fantastic facilities in Fort Lauderdale, success in the sport seems a decent prospect.

At 5’11’, Osaka brings more height and power to the court than many of the other girls. This allows her, even at such a young age with so much development to come, to dominate and control matches with relative ease. Her consistency on the court is matched by her solid right-handed playstyle, ensuring that she is capable of keeping up with the best.

With sister Mari also being a good tennis player, Osaka has grown up around the game and thus has the opportunity to go even further. At such a young age, the sky really is the limit for her in the many years that are to come. With a forehand shot that’s extremely powerful, she’s grown up trying to emulate the extensive power, precision and accuracy that idol Serena Williams is so known for.

Already, she’s had an impressive career to date. Already being a losing finalist at the Tokyo event in 2016 and 2015, Osaka has shown that she has the mettle to reach finals. This is the major stopping point for many young players – she has the potential to go all the way. Once she breaks that losing habit at the final hurdle, there’s nothing to say that Osaka cannot become one of the most impressive female tennis players of her generation.

Already hitting numbers that are making people sit up and take notice, there is nothing holding her back from reaching the very pinnacle of the sport. With a committed personality and a wonderful temperament, Osaka is one to watch both today and in the years to come.