Naomi Osaka, one of Tennis’ latest rising stars is looking forward to competing in the Olympics come next year. However, she does not plan on representing the U.S. in the competition.
According to CBS News, Naomi said she intends on representing Japan in the 2020 Olympics. On Thursday, she said she intends to give up her U.S. citizenship to represent her birth country during her Olympic debut.
Naomi who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother, and a Haitian father, has been raised in the U.S. since the age of 3. She currently holds dual citizenship from Japan and the U.S. Next week she’ll turn 22, and it’s at that age, Japanese law requires dual-nationality citizens to choose one.
She expressed her excitement and said, “It’s definitely going to be very special. I think there’s no other place that I’d rather play my first Olympics. I think that will be one of the most memorable things that ever happen to me.”
You all may remember Naomi defeated her idol Serena Williams last year at the U.S. Open, earning her, her first Grand Slam title. She took home her second Gram Slam title this year when she defeated Petra Kvitova the Australia Open.
Naomi continued to express her excitement for the 2020 Olympics and said, “I’m kind of looking forward to everything like the opening ceremony. It’s also a very big honor to even be participating.”
TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94
