Miami Connection
Osaka has elevated the Miami Open's profile through standout performances, including her 2018 first-round upset of Serena Williams, drawing international media attention especially from Japan. By calling Miami her home and training there with family, she fosters a personal connection to South Florida's tennis community. Her consistent participation boosts local events at Hard Rock Stadium and inspires fans in the region.
About
Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, Naomi Osaka rose rapidly in professional tennis, becoming World No. 1 after defeating Serena Williams at the 2018 US Open and winning titles at the Australian Open and US Open. She achieved early success at the Miami Open by ousting Williams in the first round in 2018 and has continued to participate in the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium. Osaka considers Miami her home, often bringing her family including her mother and daughter Shai during events there. After maternity leave following her daughter's birth, she returned to the tour in 2024, reaching the US Open semifinals while balancing motherhood with competition. As of 2026, she remains active on the WTA tour, navigating comebacks and early exits like her recent Miami Open loss.