The Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka and Nike have signed an agreement under which the 21-year-old athlete will first wear Nike gear at the Stuttgart Grand Prix later this month.
Naomi Osaka joined Serena Williams at Nike, the U.S. sports gear giant said on its website. Osaka is ranked No 1 in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. She had previously been tied to rival Adidas, however, Nike won that battle.
Commenting on the signing an agreement with Nike, Ms Osaka said: “I’m proud to become a member of the Nike family and excited about getting involved in all of the opportunities Nike has to offer.”
The athlete also added Nike has a legendary track record of writing history and she looks forward to being a part of those moments for many years to come.
The Japanese tennis player overcame Serena Williams at the U.S. Open in September, so, Nike is also thrilled to have her join its team.
“Naomi is an incredible talent to add to our roster and help drive our commitment to inspiring a new generation of female athletes,” Nike VP Amy Montagne added in the statement.”
Naomi Osaka’s ascent to the top of the women’s game has made her a hot marketable commodity for the world’s top brands. The 21-year-old tennis star already has deals with Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, car manufacturer Nissan and watch company Citizen, among others.
