Inside Naomi Osaka’s Family Journey
When you talk about Naomi Osaka, it’s easy to focus only on her incredible talent and her return to the big stage at the U.S. Open. But behind every serve, every victory, and even every setback, there’s a family story that shaped her into the person she is today. And honestly, her family’s journey is just as fascinating as her tennis career.
Let’s start with her mom, Tamaki Osaka. She grew up in Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan, and later worked in New York in the import and export industry. It wasn’t an easy life—sometimes she was even forced to sleep in her car while working overtime to support the family. Naomi has spoken about how much she recognized that sacrifice, and it actually pushed her to practice tennis harder because she wanted to ease that burden on her mother. Naomi often describes her mom as strong and independent, but she also reflects on how much Tamaki must have silently worried through those years.
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Then there’s her dad, Leonard François, who is originally from Jacmel, Haiti. His influence on Naomi’s career can’t be overstated. Inspired by Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena, Leonard decided to coach both Naomi and her older sister, Mari. He admitted that “the blueprint was already there,” and he simply had to follow it. For a period, he coached Naomi himself, shaping her fundamentals before she became a global star.
Mari Osaka, Naomi’s sister, also played tennis professionally for a while before retiring in 2021. After that, she shifted her focus to art and design. In fact, she even co-designed Naomi’s bold Met Gala outfit that same year, which was seen as a statement about their biracial heritage and the blending of Japanese and Haitian culture.
Of course, we can’t forget Naomi’s daughter, Shai, who was born in July 2023. Naomi welcomed her with rapper Cordae, and now, as Naomi competes again at the U.S. Open, there’s a chance her daughter will be in the stands for the very first time. Naomi admitted she doesn’t know how Shai will react to the noise of a tennis match, but it’s clear that this new role as a mother has added another beautiful layer to her life.
One question that comes up a lot is why Naomi chose to represent Japan instead of the United States. She was born in Osaka, and her parents made that decision early on, saying that she and Mari always felt more connected to their Japanese heritage. It wasn’t about money or politics—it was simply about identity. And when Japanese law required her to choose just one nationality before she turned 22, she officially gave up her U.S. citizenship in 2019 so she could play for Japan in the Tokyo Olympics.
So when Naomi steps onto the court, she carries with her not only her own dreams but also the sacrifices, choices, and support of her family. From her parents’ determination, to her sister’s creative partnership, to the joy of raising her daughter, Naomi Osaka’s story is really a family story at its heart.
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