Naomi Osaka is making quite a statement.
The tennis star, who has Haitian roots and represents Japan, took to the court Tuesday (Aug. 26) in the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open against Belgium’s Greet Minnen, ESPN reported. Osaka sported a ponytail adorned with crystal red roses, paired with a Labubu charm she called “Billie Jean Bling,” and a red outfit created by Nike, the retailer that signed her to a 10-year deal reportedly worth nearly $10 million annually, according to Forbes.
“It was really elaborate, because the crystals are really hard to do on a performance outfit,” Osaka explain while talking about her outfit, per ESPN. “I just thought it would be really fun to do.”
Osaka defeated Minnen 6-3 and 6-4. On and off the court, she’s winning. Here’s a look at some of her business ventures as proof.
Naomi Osaka And KINLÒ
As AFROTECH™ reported in 2022, Osaka is the founder of KINLÒ, a skincare brand launched in 2021 and created for melanated skin with the expertise of Ghanaian-born dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye. According to its storefront on Amazon and Instagram page, its offerings include sunscreen, a hydrating gold mist, and cooling body gel moisturizers.
“Black, Brown and Asian Pacific skin tones have this myth that because our skin is dark we don’t burn and won’t get skin cancer, and that is just wrong. Once I was given that information, for me the rest fell into place. Create a line that protects, nourishes, and repairs melanated skin while also making it high quality at a price that also is accessible to all,” she told Forbes in another article.
Naomi Osaka’s Starts Her Own Agency
Osaka took a bold leap and launched Evolve Agency after making her foray into the skincare industry, AFROTECH™ reported. This followed after her contract expired with sports agency IMG, and although she did explore the idea of a renewal, she ultimately bet on herself alongside her longtime agent, Stuart Duguid, CBS Sports mentioned.
“I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” Osaka said, according to Bleacher Report. “Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way.”
Naomi Osaka In Media
In 2022, Naomi Osaka launched Hana Kuma, a media company Osaka established in partnership with LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Co., as AFROTECH™ previously reported. In 2024, SpringHill Co. merged with Fulwell 73, a British television, music, and film company.
Hana Kuma serves as a creative platform that prioritizes “international” and “multicultural” audiences in its storytelling, its website states.
“We’re having the opportunity to tell you stories that I haven’t necessarily seen before, and I think that’s what kind of drew me to it,” Osaka said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I come from Japan and Haiti and of course America too, and I have a very different heritage and upbringing than a lot of different people. And I know that there’s a lot of other people that are like me, and I’m just trying to utilize that. I’m just telling the stories that I think are interesting.”
After its inception, Osaka raised $5 million for the media company in 2023, AFROTECH™ reported. The following year, Hana Kuma received an investment from The Players Fund, a separate AFROTECH™ story noted.
AloJapan.com