French Open: Naomi Osaka withdraws from Grand Slam in wake of media boycott row
The four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made good on her threat on Sunday when, after winning her first round match, she did not hold a press conference. She was fined $15,000 by the Roland Garros referee, and Grand Slam organisers later issued a strongly worded statement warning of possible expulsion from the French Open and future majors if she failed to change her stance.
Jun 01, 2021, 06:47 AM IST
Naomi Osaka: Lifestyle of world's top earning female tennis star
Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 by Grand Slam organisers for boycotting a news conference following her first-round win and the world number two was also warned of possible expulsion from Roland Garros and future majors if she fails to meet her media commitments. Osaka started her French Open campaign with a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Romanian Patricia Maria Tig but her refusal to honour her media commitments at the claycourt major has caused a stand-off with organisers. Before the start of the Slam, Osaka announced she would not attend any news conferences while in Paris to raise awareness of players' mental well-being, saying the nature of questions from journalists is like 'kicking a person when they are down'. Osaka earned $55.2 million in COVID-19-hit 2020 from prize money and endorsements -- the highest by any female tennis player last year. Here were take a look at lifestyle of one of the richest tennis players on the tennis circuit.
May 31, 2021, 10:26 AM IST
French Open: Naomi Osaka fined after opening win, warned of expulsion; here's why
Naomi Osaka cited the impact on players' mental well-being for her decision ahead of the claycourt major not to hold news conferences, saying the nature of questions from journalists is like "kicking a person when they are down".
May 30, 2021, 21:48 PM IST
French Open: Novak Djokovic slams Naomi Osaka’s decision to avoid media, says THIS
Novak Djokovic said Osaka, “probably (had) her reasons why” but fell short of endorsing the four-times Grand Slam champion’s move.
May 28, 2021, 14:54 PM IST
French Open: Naomi Osaka tops $55.2 million in earning last year heading into Roland Garros
Osaka recorded over $55.2 million in earnings over the last 12 months, with $5.2 million from prize money and an estimated $50 million off the court. Osaka lands at No. 15 in Sportico’s ranking of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.
May 27, 2021, 12:05 PM IST
Naomi Osaka overpowers Jennifer Brady in straight sets to win Australian Open
Naomi Osaka on Saturday won her fourth Grand Slam title as she defeated Jennifer Brady in straight sets to clinch the women’s singles final of the 2021 Australian Open. The Japanese won the match 6-4, 6-3. Osaka, the first Japanese player to win a major, extended her winning streak to 21 matches with this victory.
Feb 20, 2021, 15:50 PM IST
Australian Open 2021: COVID-19 lockdown warrior Brady faces Naomi Osaka in final
While some of those in hard quarantine complained about not being able to train before the Grand Slam, Brady likened it to a long decompression session that probably helped her bulldoze through the draw against better-prepared players. Now the rising 25-year-old faces the ultimate test of her resilience against Osaka.
Feb 19, 2021, 11:19 AM IST
Australian Open 2021: Tearful Serena cuts news conference short after semis exit
Serena Williams won her last major title in 2017 at Melbourne Park before taking a break from the sport to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, and has lost four major finals since returning to tennis in 2018. The 39-year-old, who is one Grand Slam short of Margaret Court’s record, walked off Rod Laver Arena to a standing ovation on Thursday.
Feb 18, 2021, 12:50 PM IST
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka sweeps past Serena Williams to reach final
Naomi Osaka defeated Serena Williams in straight sets in the Australian Open 2021 semifinals to reach the final. She will face the winner of second semifinal between Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic and Jennifer Brady of the United States for the year's first Grand Slam title.
Feb 18, 2021, 10:14 AM IST
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka posts 12th Slam win in a row, enters semis
Seeded third, Osaka reached 122 mph (196 kph) on her serve against Hsieh. She hit seven aces, lost only two points on her first serve and was never broken. Osaka also played excellent defense, such as in the final game, when she raced forward to chase down a drop shot.
Feb 16, 2021, 09:24 AM IST
Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams reach quarters, Dominic Thiem slumps out of Australian Open
Fans remained absent from Melbourne Park for a second day because of the state of Victoria`s coronavirus lockdown and Osaka`s victory was greeted with taped applause piped into the stadium. "I`m tired right now, that was tough," said Osaka, who mixed 40 winners with 36 unforced errors over the contest.
Feb 14, 2021, 15:40 PM IST
Aus Open: Rock solid Naomi Osaka marches into third round
The Japanese third seed fired six aces at her French opponent in the first set and four in the second. Garcia was unable to muster up a single break point over the contest. The 2019 Australian Open champion said she had started the match wary of the threat posed by Garcia, a former world number four now ranked 43rd.
Feb 10, 2021, 16:54 PM IST
Australian Open 2021: Serena Williams cruises into second round with Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams
Williams wore a colorful one-legged catsuit, and her game looked flashy, too. She lost only nine points on her serve and hit 16 winners. Her sister, Venus, won a Grand Slam match for the first time since 2019. Playing in her 21st Australian Open, the elder Williams beat Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 6-2.
Feb 08, 2021, 09:46 AM IST
Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka sails into second round with Venus Williams
Osaka pulled out of the semi-final of the Gippsland Trophy with a shoulder niggle but betrayed no sign of injury to the smattering of spectators in the centre court terraces. Osaka next faces Caroline Garcia for a place in the third round.
Feb 08, 2021, 08:03 AM IST
Australian Open: Ash Barty, Naomi Osaka advance in tune-up events
World No. 1 Ash Barty will play American Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals of the Yarra Valley Classic and could potentially face Serena Williams in the semifinals. Williams was playing Tsvetana Pironkova in a night match on Margaret Court Arena.
Feb 03, 2021, 11:20 AM IST
Naomi Osaka pulls out of French Open with hamstring injury
Japanese tennis star and world No.3 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open due to a hamstring injury.
Sep 18, 2020, 08:48 AM IST
La Lakers superstar Lebron James congratulates Naomi Osaka on US Open triumph
Both James and Osaka have been at the forefront of the Black Live Matter movement
Sep 13, 2020, 15:48 PM IST
Naomi Osaka defeats Victoria Azarenka to win US Open
Naomi Osaka ended Victoria Azarenka`s dream run to claim her second US Open title in three years with a 1-6 6-3 6-3 comeback win on Saturday which cemented her status as the sport`s leading light both on and off the court.
Sep 13, 2020, 07:21 AM IST
US Open 2020: Victoria Azarenka stuns Serena Williams to set up Naomi Osaka showdown
The Belarusian has now set up a clash against Japanese tennis player and world No.10 Naomi Osaka in the final of the Grand Slam event.
Sep 11, 2020, 10:59 AM IST
Naomi Osaka downs Jennifer Brady to reach U.S. Open final
Two-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the U.S. Open final for the second time in her career with a 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3 victory over big-hitting Jennifer Brady on Thursday.
Sep 11, 2020, 09:15 AM IST
