Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka became the first Asian-born player to hold the number-one singles ranking in tennis and won four Grand Slam titles before the age of 24. But her most courageous moment came not on the court but off it — when she withdrew from the 2021 French Open citing mental health struggles, sparking a global conversation about athlete wellbeing that changed how sports organizations treat their competitors.

Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1997, to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, Osaka moved to the United States at age three. Her father Leonard, inspired by watching Venus and Serena Williams on television, coached his daughters using the blueprint of Richard Williams's program. Naomi rose through the junior ranks and burst into global consciousness at the 2018 U.S. Open, defeating Serena Williams in a final overshadowed by controversy — yet Osaka's composure and grace under impossible pressure revealed a champion's temperament.

Osaka has used her platform to advocate for racial justice, wearing masks bearing the names of Black Americans killed by police violence at the 2020 U.S. Open. She is one of the highest-earning female athletes in history, a successful entrepreneur, and a role model for multiracial and multicultural identity. Her willingness to prioritize mental health over competition opened doors for athletes across all sports to seek support without shame.