An Intimate Look at a Champion for a New World
Naomi Osaka (2021)
A Quick TV Review
Soft-spoken. Reserved. Deceptively determined and quietly outspoken. A measured portrait of one of tennis' current leading stars is underlined in Naomi Osaka: Playing by Her Own Rules from Netflix.
A Quick TV Review
Soft-spoken. Reserved. Deceptively determined and quietly outspoken. A measured portrait of one of tennis' current leading stars is underlined in Naomi Osaka: Playing by Her Own Rules from Netflix.
For tennis fans following her career and this documentary, It may be hard to reconcile how such a demure persona can also be one of the toughest players on the professional circuit. And how one of the most magazine-featured athletes, with a 2.5m Instagram following, can be so modest and thoughtful.
Osaka is aware of these perception conflicts, but they're all true. While she claims she's "good as the chaser or the follower", and that it's "hard for (her) to be the top person", she's acknowledged a childhood drive to be the "best tennis player in the world".
She also wonders what would happen "if tennis stops", and has an attention to the world outside. She's keen to the public watching her, to representing her background, and to the impact her voice might have.
Most well-known, and the focus of the third episode of the series, is her drive to create conversation on social issues following George Floyd's death and subsequent social justice initiatives.
Osaka's sensitivity predates that, though. An early clip in Naomi Osaka recalls the 2019 U.S. Open third round match against rising U.S. star Coco Gauff, in which Osaka won handily but ensured her opponent had a moment to hear public appreciation, so the 15-year-old Gauff can "walk off the court with her head high". How can someone so young be so aware?
Osaka is aware of these perception conflicts, but they're all true. While she claims she's "good as the chaser or the follower", and that it's "hard for (her) to be the top person", she's acknowledged a childhood drive to be the "best tennis player in the world".
She also wonders what would happen "if tennis stops", and has an attention to the world outside. She's keen to the public watching her, to representing her background, and to the impact her voice might have.
Most well-known, and the focus of the third episode of the series, is her drive to create conversation on social issues following George Floyd's death and subsequent social justice initiatives.
Osaka's sensitivity predates that, though. An early clip in Naomi Osaka recalls the 2019 U.S. Open third round match against rising U.S. star Coco Gauff, in which Osaka won handily but ensured her opponent had a moment to hear public appreciation, so the 15-year-old Gauff can "walk off the court with her head high". How can someone so young be so aware?
Osaka stuns for Hong Kong's Vogue Her 2021 French Open withdrawal put a light on her own mental health checks and balances, and, similarly, to her quiet civil rights actions, has helped put the larger issue into discourse. That episode is noticeably not addressed in Naomi Osaka.
But clues abound. "For so long, I've tied winning to, like, my worth as a person...so, what am I, if not a good tennis player," Osaka is quoted. "I should think about the future rather than always being stuck in the present." She knows "life is full of tests", and feels exposed to them on the court, and in public. She laments a lack of 'real world' college life her contemporaries enjoy to close the series.
Osaka has revealed she was "terrified" of the film's release, but ultimately hoped that the series can help illuminate a level of relatability.
As stated in the series, you "can't really put her in a box". But Osaka is certainly an athletic star for today's age - an elite competitor but introspective and willing to show strength in vulnerability. How can one not root for her? I will be.
But clues abound. "For so long, I've tied winning to, like, my worth as a person...so, what am I, if not a good tennis player," Osaka is quoted. "I should think about the future rather than always being stuck in the present." She knows "life is full of tests", and feels exposed to them on the court, and in public. She laments a lack of 'real world' college life her contemporaries enjoy to close the series.
Osaka has revealed she was "terrified" of the film's release, but ultimately hoped that the series can help illuminate a level of relatability.
As stated in the series, you "can't really put her in a box". But Osaka is certainly an athletic star for today's age - an elite competitor but introspective and willing to show strength in vulnerability. How can one not root for her? I will be.
Currently 23-years-old and ranked number two in the world, Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam winner. Recent accolades include the 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, 2019 and 2020Time 100 Most Influential People in the World recognition, and 2020 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (shared).
She's entering Tokyo 2020 with heavy home-nation expectations to medal, but is dreaming of success.
She's entering Tokyo 2020 with heavy home-nation expectations to medal, but is dreaming of success.
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