SUMMARY
- Naomi Osaka's tennis journey is a tale of resilience, highlighted when a $10,000 prize during her 2014 debut became a crucial lifeline amid financial adversity.
- Osaka's fortune expands with four Grand Slam titles, over 20 endorsements, her skincare brand, KINLÒ, and ventures like Hana Kuma and Evolve.
In the world of professional tennis, Naomi Osaka’s rise to stardom is not just about her tennis skills. It is also a tale of resilience in the face of financial adversity, which not many are aware of. Just when her journey seemed poised for homelessness, a meager $10,000 prize proved to be the turning point for the tennis sensation.
As Naomi Osaka now stands proudly with four singles Grand Slam titles, her journey to the top echelons of women’s tennis was far from a smooth ascent. Unveiling the untold struggles, a distinguished journalist highlighted the ‘real financial peril’ that shadowed Osaka during her debut on the tour.
However, amidst the challenges, a modest $10,000 prize emerged as the lifeline that pulled her and her family back from the brink of the wilderness. In a revealing episode of the Tennis Podcast, journalist Ben Rothenberg shared the story about Noami Osaka. In 2014, just before her debut on the tour, the 16-year-old Osaka family faced eviction because of the financial crisis.
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Rothenberg unearthed documents indicating an eviction notice for their apartment due to unpaid bills. Recalling this critical period, Rothenberg expressed, “They got an eviction notice from their apartment they just couldn’t, weren’t paying for and to win, she made her tour debut in Stanford and beat Samantha Stosur.”
This triumph not only marked Osaka’s debut victory but also secured a $10,000 prize purse that proved to be a beacon for her family. This ‘real financial peril’ acted as a catalyst, propelling Osaka to a new level of determination. Ranked around 400 in the world at the time, this financial urgency led her to defeat Samantha Stosur, a recent US Open champion and world no. 4, in a WTA match!
Against the backdrop of financial struggles, Osaka’s resilience, coupled with that crucial $10,000, not only secured her a winning path on the WTA tour but also paved the way for a flourishing career with prominent sponsorships and recognition.
How much Naomi Osaka earns in 2024?
In 2024, Naomi Osaka hailed as the world’s highest-paid female athlete, continues to build an impressive fortune. Renowned for her four Grand Slam singles titles, Osaka’s financial triumph extends beyond tennis winnings. She boasts over 20 brand endorsements and also has her own skincare brand, KINLÒ.
In the past year, she launched a media company, Hana Kuma, and also co-founded a sports management company, Evolve, in 2022. Among her most notable partnerships is the one with Nike, which contributes significantly to her financial income.
My newest collection with Nike. It was important to me that there was something for everyone which means more versatile, gender-neutral pieces in my favorite colors and of course the camo print lol. https://t.co/1Wjiia7Z5o pic.twitter.com/wI0UW2VH26
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 10, 2022
Without even playing a match in 2023, her off-court earnings through sponsorship alone were $12 million. With her growing list of endorsements and business ventures, as she rebuilds her tennis career in 2024, one can expect her total earnings to be over $20 million this year from both her on-court and off-court swings.
With a net worth estimated at $45 million, her wealth is poised to surge in 2024, after her return to the game, driven by tennis earnings, entrepreneurial endeavors, savvy investments, and an ever-growing endorsement portfolio.