Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, isn’t just known for her powerful strokes on the tennis court but also for her unabashed pride in her diverse heritage. Born to a Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka from Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan, and a Haitian father, Leonard François from Jacmel, Haiti, Osaka has never shied away from expressing her multicultural roots.
Recently, the tennis star exhibited her love for her Haitian roots at the Miami Open in 2025. Even though she is currently residing in sunny California, Osaka’s heart is deeply rooted in both Japan and Haiti. She has often been seen paying homage to her heritage through her attire during major events. An unforgettable instance was her dress at the Australian Open earlier this year, a Nike collaboration inspired by the incredible art of Haiti. As she succinctly put it, “Haiti always with me”.
Osaka’s 2025 season has been fraught with challenges, however. She made it to the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland in early January, but was forced to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. Unfortunately, the same injury continued to plague her at Melbourne, resulting in her withdrawal from the third round.
A month later, her performance at Indian Wells was less than stellar. She was defeated in the first round by Colombia’s Camila Osorio with a score of 6-4, 6-4. The loss left a deep impact on Osaka, who termed it as the “worst match” she had ever played.
However, it seems like the former World No.1 has regained her rhythm in Miami. She defeated Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in a thrilling match with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. This was followed by a straight-sets victory against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, which ended with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Osaka celebrated her win by joyfully embracing the Haitian flag.
Osaka has always been vocal about her multicultural upbringing and its influence on her. She once shared during an Instagram Q&A that she considers herself to be from “everywhere”. In addition to verbal expressions of her heritage, Osaka has often used her on-court fashion to represent her cultural connect, particularly to Haiti.
One of the memorable instances was during the 2020 US Open, where Osaka sported a vibrant, printed head wrap while clinching her third Slam trophy against Victoria Azarenka. She later revealed on Instagram that the headwrap was a tribute to her Haitian heritage. In 2021, she attended the Met Gala in a dress that beautifully reflected her Japanese and Haitian heritage, with the addition of koi fishes making it a standout piece.
Osaka has credited her Japanese-Haitian heritage as the source of her strength, stating that it has made her more tolerant, accepting, and curious. She attributes her quiet demeanor to her Japanese side and her fierce competitiveness to her Haitian roots.
As for her performance on the court, Osaka seems to be finding her form again in Miami. Her next match is against America’s Hailey Baptiste, against whom she has a previous 1-0 lead in head-to-head tally. Her best run in Miami was in 2022 when she reached the final, only to lose to Iga Swiatek. It remains to be seen whether she will be able to recreate her dominant run this season.
In conclusion, Naomi Osaka’s multicultural roots are not just a part of her personal identity but also a key aspect of her public persona. Whether it’s through her fashion choices or her performance on the court, she continues to proudly represent her heritage.