Naomi Osaka was catapulted into the realm of global superstardom when she defeated Serena Williams at the 2018 US Open, and she’s only continued to impress and solidify herself as one of the best in the world since then. She’s the definition of a boss, and according to Forbes, the highest paid female athlete ever. Osaka brought in a staggering $37.4 million in prize and endorsement money between June 2019 and June 2020 .
Her success on the court aside, Osaka is a massive advocate for racial and gender equality. Osaka was born in Japan to a Haitian dad and a Japanese mom, but moved to the United States when she was three. During this year’s US Open at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, Osaka brought public attention to the cause by wearing the names of victims of police brutality on her mask, boycotting a match, and attending protests against police brutality.
Osaka has definitely solidified herself as a successful athlete and advocate, and now, she’s gracing the cover of Vogue Magazine with her talents.
We love to see athletes get recognition outside the realm of the sports world, and we can think of few who are as deserving as Osaka to get this nod.
