On July 27^th, 2021, while the enthusiasm for the Tokyo Olympics was at its peak, Simon Biles, the leading athlete in American women’s gymnastics, announced her withdrawal from the team competition. Recognized as the best athlete in history in women’s gymnastics, her withdrawal shocked the world while showing the mental stress under which she was suffering. Later, Simone Biles revealed that her choice was inspired by Naomi Osaka. Naomi Osaka is a world-famous tennis player, and she dropped out during the French Open tennis tournament in May 2021. She even did not attend a press conference that was considered a must-attend. Could the world blame her for this fact alone? Let’s dive into her life to find out what kind of person Naomi Osaka is.

            Naomi Osaka was born in 1997. She had a Japanese mother and a Haitian father. During her teens, she immigrated to the United States to learn tennis from her father. She became a pro in 2013 and was the first Japanese person to win a major at the 2018 US Open. On her birthday the following year, she chose her nationality as Japanese under the Japanese Nationality Act, which stipulates that people with dual nationality like her must choose only one before their 22^nd birthday. Her life can be described in the following sentence. A mixed-race Japanese citizen who lives in the U.S, which is neither of her parents’ countries, as an immigrant. Her birth background, her life, and her outstanding skills are all enough to recognize her as a global sports star. Here's another factor. Naomi Osaka is a figure who perceives her identity as African American rather than Asian American. Following the shootings of George Floyd's death and the shooting of Jacob Blake, the 2020 murder caused by racism, Naomi Osaka boycotted her Western & Southern Open in New York. She proudly expressed her position on global issues. Furthermore, she stuck to her beliefs by posting on her Twitter, “As a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention rather than watching me play tennis.” Her actions as a player have sparked controversy among her fans, but some viewed her as cementing her identity in the black community and using her own influence for good. The spotlight on her became even stronger after her boycott which received contrasting responses. Her most controversial action was her absence from press conferences and the French Open withdrawal. For her, these were her choice to protect her own mental health. She wanted to be free for a while from the constant need to answer repeated questions and the reporters who seemed to doubt her abilities. After she received penalties for not attending the interview, she also gave up the French Open to rest. Naomi Osaka says: "Your life is your own and you shouldn't value yourself on other people's standards," She has no hesitation in revealing her feelings of prioritizing herself over others’ evaluations or her status as a tennis player. This attitude of 24-year-old Naomi Osaka has been hailed as a symbol of her younger generation.

            The Netflix original documentary series <Naomi Osaka> released in 2021, focuses on her true self rather than on her fame or tennis skills. Although she is still in her 20s, she has gone beyond the concept of simply being a sports star and an issue maker. Her self-confidence, determination, and, above all, love for herself make many people look back on their attitude towards themselves. CAH supports Naomi Osaka's career as a tennis player and her future choices, who leads her own life more independently than anyone else.