The sensation of Japanese tennis is getting ready for the 2024 Miami Open, where she will seek to win her eighth career title.
Naomi Osaka (Images via IMAGO, X)
The former world number one is gearing up for the upcoming tournament. Due to her pregnancy, she missed the entire 2023 season and is now entering the main draw using her protected ranking.
The Japanese star competed in the previous edition of the event and reached the third round, where she was defeated in straight sets. Prior to that match, the four-time Grand Slam champion won her two matches without dropping a single set. Osaka has shown flashes of her old self, but needs to bring her best consistently.
As she continues to prepare for the Miami Open, Osaka has been involved in an intriguing collaboration. Since Miami also hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome, the organizers gifted the two-time champion with a special jacket, designed by a renowned fashion designer.
Hamilton, a celebrated fashion designer known for his expertise in creating leather jackets, is responsible for the jacket’s design. These jackets often feature impressive graphics and have become an iconic aspect of pop culture and sports. Osaka also received a similar jacket.
The black jacket is adorned with the word ‘NAOMI’ on one sleeve, along with intricate details on the other. The design of the Miami Grand Prix race circuit, accompanied by the word ‘MIAMI’, is prominently displayed in the center of the jacket. The back of the jacket features a cartoon drawing of an animal holding a large flower.
A collaboration you didn’t know you needed 🔥 We are honored to present tennis champion Naomi Osaka with an exclusive and unique jacket from #MiamiGP Jeff Hamilton!
Osaka shared photos wearing the jacket on her Instagram account. She paired the jacket with an anime shirt and completed the look with her Nike sneakers, featuring the iconic swoosh logo in a large size, showcasing her sense of fashion.
Although Osaka has excelled on hard court surfaces, she has yet to win the title at the Miami Open. She made her debut in 2016 and reached the third round. In the following years, she was eliminated in the second round, losing to different opponents. Despite being a top seed in 2019, she once again fell in the third round. However, in 2021, she reached the quarterfinals before being defeated. She improved on this result in 2022, reaching the final. Unfortunately, Osaka was defeated by her opponent in the championship final.
The victory over Osaka propelled her opponent to the top of the world rankings for the first time. With a record of 12-6, she enters the 2024 edition of the tournament. In the first round, she will start her campaign against another player, while aiming to capture her eighth career title.
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