Osaka Opens up in WSJ Interview

Being the world's highest paid woman athlete comes with both perks and obligations, and Naomi Osaka isn't shying away from either. The normally reserved Osaka, on the cover of Wall Street Journal Magazine’s September issue, slips into designer duds in glamour shots for the magazine's Women's Fashion issue, but tackles more serious topics without reserve—like the unique challenges of her Japanese-Haitian identify, and joining Back Lives Matter demonstrations in the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police.

The 2018 U.S. Open Champion references the bittersweet weight of being catapulted into the spotlight by defeating Serena Williams in a match for the ages. “It’s a general way people treated me, but also I was representing Japan. So it kind of came from everywhere. ... I might get in trouble for saying this, but eventually I’m going to have to talk about it.” As for keeping her feelings about racial injustice to herself, the famously shy Osaka is having none of it. “I hate when random people say athletes shouldn’t get involved with politics and just entertain,” she said. “Firstly, this is a human rights issue. Secondly, what gives you more right to speak than me? By that logic if you work at Ikea you are only allowed to talk about furniture?”

Image credit: Wall Street Journal