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Naomi Osaka: Her journey to finding her power and her voice
Most tennis fans met the Haitian-American-Japanese player Naomi Osaka for the first time as they watched her win the 2018 US Open in a controversial match against Serena Williams. Since then, Osaka has galvanised the tennis world not only by winning three more grand slams—all tennis fans will remember Osaka winning the Australian Open twice—but also by being outspoken on matters of social justice and mental health. It is both her extraordinary talent and her candour that have propelled her to the top of her sport and onto the front page of newspapers and magazines worldwide, making her the highest-paid female athlete in the world since 2020.
But where did she come from and how did she get here? The story of Naomi Osaka and her family is unlike any other. Readers will be thrilled to read this book and learn more about tennis's most fascinating player.
Ben Rothenberg has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014. In this book, Ben will chart Naomi Osaka’s incredible impact on tennis and on social justice in sports, predicting where she’ll go next.
Ben Rothenberg is a sportswriter from Washington, D.C. He is extraordinarily well known in the Australian media, having appeared on Today, ABC News, Channel Nine and SEN among many others. His writing has also been published in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Saturday Paper. He has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014, both in print for the New York Times and on his podcast, No Challenges Remaining. His work has focused on the intersections of social and cultural issues in tennis. A senior editor for Racquet magazine, Ben Rothenberg has appeared frequently as a tennis expert on international networks such as CNN and the BBC. With an eye for finding stories and dogged determination as a reporter, Rothenberg has become by many metrics the world’s leading tennis journalist.
‘Rothenberg provides exciting accounts of key matches and a sensitive treatment of Osaka’s public battle with depression... Osaka’s fans will lap this up.’ Publishers Weekly
‘A compelling, comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating athletes of the past decade. Rothenberg provides essential context for both her on-court successes and off-court decisions. Even as someone who has covered Osaka’s entire career, I learned a lot.’ Tumaini Carayol, Guardian
But where did she come from and how did she get here? The story of Naomi Osaka and her family is unlike any other. Readers will be thrilled to read this book and learn more about tennis's most fascinating player.
Ben Rothenberg has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014. In this book, Ben will chart Naomi Osaka’s incredible impact on tennis and on social justice in sports, predicting where she’ll go next.
Ben Rothenberg is a sportswriter from Washington, D.C. He is extraordinarily well known in the Australian media, having appeared on Today, ABC News, Channel Nine and SEN among many others. His writing has also been published in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Saturday Paper. He has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014, both in print for the New York Times and on his podcast, No Challenges Remaining. His work has focused on the intersections of social and cultural issues in tennis. A senior editor for Racquet magazine, Ben Rothenberg has appeared frequently as a tennis expert on international networks such as CNN and the BBC. With an eye for finding stories and dogged determination as a reporter, Rothenberg has become by many metrics the world’s leading tennis journalist.
‘Rothenberg provides exciting accounts of key matches and a sensitive treatment of Osaka’s public battle with depression... Osaka’s fans will lap this up.’ Publishers Weekly
‘A compelling, comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating athletes of the past decade. Rothenberg provides essential context for both her on-court successes and off-court decisions. Even as someone who has covered Osaka’s entire career, I learned a lot.’ Tumaini Carayol, Guardian
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2024
61 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 1, 2023
I've followed Ben Rothenberg on Twitter since its inception, and when I heard he was working on a project about Naomi Osaka, I knew her story was in good hands. Because of his position as one of the world's top tennis journalists, he was able to get access to not only Osaka and her family and team but other players, coaches, media, and those involved in the tennis world. While she is quite prolific in her social media use, she has said that it takes time for her to process things and thus this book gives her a chance to ruminate on events long past. It paints a full picture of Osaka and her world.
On a minor note, I appreciated Rothenberg's retelling of the 2020 US Open, which Osaka won. She famously sported seven different masks en route to her seven different wins, each inscribed with the name of an innocent Black man or woman murdered in racially-motivated attacks: George Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, and Trayvon Martin. Rothenberg doesn't just name them but also gives a brief description of who they were and what happened to them. He also details how Osaka herself encouraged people to learn their stories and how that encouragement led to citizens of her native Japan who were not likely to know about the Black Lives Matter movement to research and educate themselves. I believe he did Osaka proud.
On a minor note, I appreciated Rothenberg's retelling of the 2020 US Open, which Osaka won. She famously sported seven different masks en route to her seven different wins, each inscribed with the name of an innocent Black man or woman murdered in racially-motivated attacks: George Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, and Trayvon Martin. Rothenberg doesn't just name them but also gives a brief description of who they were and what happened to them. He also details how Osaka herself encouraged people to learn their stories and how that encouragement led to citizens of her native Japan who were not likely to know about the Black Lives Matter movement to research and educate themselves. I believe he did Osaka proud.
December 7, 2023
The first time I watched Naomi Osaka live, I have to admit I was not rooting for her AT ALL - it was Wimbledon 2018, I had queued, and she was playing Katie Boulter in Round 2 on Court 2… as a Brit I had to support my compatriot. However, since that match, I have always wanted the best of everything for Naomi - as the supremely talented tennis player, uniquely placed activist and wonderful mother that she is!
This book tells her story in a compelling manner and is as meticulously researched as I expected from the author based on his previous written and podcast work.
A key highlight for me was Ch. 28 - ‘The Names On Her Lips’ where Rothenburg recounts Osaka’s pivotal 2020 US open campaign. The chapter highlights her on court achievements including her victory in the final to win her third major title, but more importantly gives due space to the stories of Breanna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
I also admired the reflection on the media landscape in Ch. 33 - ‘Read All About It’ which focuses on Osaka’s decision to withdraw first from press at the 2021 French Open and then from the tournament itself. As a journalist himself, Rothenburg combines respect for Osaka’s decisions, sensitivity to mental health and consideration of the importance of the media to advancing sport - especially women’s tennis in the early days of the WTA. Learning about Naomi’s childhood, and the less illustrious career of her sister Mari, was also very interesting.
The final chapters make me so excited to see Naomi’s return to the tour in 2024!
I recommend this book is essential reading for tennis fans alongside Cristopher Clarey’s ‘The Master’ which focuses on Roger Federer. I think the detail of individual scores and matches included in this one means it would be heavy for less die-hard fans of the sport, but I do think Osaka’s appeal and influence is universal.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback. Thank you NetGalley and Text Publishing!
This book tells her story in a compelling manner and is as meticulously researched as I expected from the author based on his previous written and podcast work.
A key highlight for me was Ch. 28 - ‘The Names On Her Lips’ where Rothenburg recounts Osaka’s pivotal 2020 US open campaign. The chapter highlights her on court achievements including her victory in the final to win her third major title, but more importantly gives due space to the stories of Breanna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
I also admired the reflection on the media landscape in Ch. 33 - ‘Read All About It’ which focuses on Osaka’s decision to withdraw first from press at the 2021 French Open and then from the tournament itself. As a journalist himself, Rothenburg combines respect for Osaka’s decisions, sensitivity to mental health and consideration of the importance of the media to advancing sport - especially women’s tennis in the early days of the WTA. Learning about Naomi’s childhood, and the less illustrious career of her sister Mari, was also very interesting.
The final chapters make me so excited to see Naomi’s return to the tour in 2024!
I recommend this book is essential reading for tennis fans alongside Cristopher Clarey’s ‘The Master’ which focuses on Roger Federer. I think the detail of individual scores and matches included in this one means it would be heavy for less die-hard fans of the sport, but I do think Osaka’s appeal and influence is universal.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback. Thank you NetGalley and Text Publishing!
August 14, 2024
This book was super lengthy imo, but I enjoyed so many parts and found Naomi’s life, struggles and career fascinating. Learned so much about Serena Williams also and some of it has me like 😒.
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April 26, 2024The following reviews have been shared by Text Publishing - publisher of Naomi Osaka:
‘Naomi Osaka has an incredible inner strength, both on and off the court. She does everything, including speaking out on important social issues, with grace and kindness. Her courage is enormous. She is a trailblazer, a role model and an inspiration.’
Jelena Dokic
‘A comprehensive look at the career of a young tennis star.’
Kirkus
‘Rothenberg provides exciting accounts of key matches and a sensitive treatment of Osaka’s public battle with depression...Osaka’s fans will lap this up.’
Publishers Weekly
‘Ben Rothenberg worked alongside me for many years as a contributor to The New York Times. He is one of the best reporters in the global game of tennis, and he proves it once again with this deep dive into the multicultural phenomenon that is Naomi Osaka.’
Christopher Clarey, New York Times bestselling author of The Master
‘Ben Rothenberg’s myriad revelations will inspire re-evaluations of this most reluctant superstar. With uncommon reporting, he examines what drove Osaka and what drove her to despair, and in doing so he articulates how she has grown, changed, and changed the game around her.’
Mary Carillo, NBC Sports and HBO’s Real Sports
‘A compelling, comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating athletes of the past decade. Rothenberg provides essential context for both her on-court successes and off-court decisions. Even as someone who has covered Osaka’s entire career, I learned a lot.’
Tumaini Carayol, Guardian
‘What is the price of superstardom? Rothenberg had a front-row seat for Naomi Osaka’s rise from tennis curiosity to cultural icon and he beautifully captures the ups and downs of her riveting ride.’
Karen Crouse, author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence
‘An insightful look into the unconventional life of this Gen-Z tennis star…Sports fans will devour details about Osaka’s coaches and tournament matches…Especially moving is the account of how Osaka, a self-described introvert, made her foray into sports activism in support of the Black Lives Matter movement…Using her platform, Osaka has made a mark advocating for mental health and, as Rothenberg shows, along the way learned to be unapologetically herself.’
Booklist (starred review)
‘A meticulous biography that is, in turns, earnest and ardent.’
Wall Street Journal
‘The fearless tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg wrote the best book about a player I’ve read in a long while.’
Craig Shapiro Tennis podcast
‘More than a reporter of results…He covers the politics, social and cultural issues of the global game in print.’
RTRFM 92.1 The Sound Alternative
‘Naomi Osaka is the work of an expert journalist determined to leave no stone unturned in painting the bigger picture. The book is detailed, thoroughly researched and contextually placed to give Osaka’s story the wider cultural and political lens which is the attention she and her career deserves...Rothenberg gives incredible detail to the big moments of Osaka’s career and provides the insight of a seasoned tennis journalist…Through Rothenberg’s excellent journalism, engaging prose and respect for Osaka and women’s tennis, I feel like I understand not only more about her, but why I admire her so much.’
Siren Sport
‘4 stars. Incredibly detailed yet emotionally engaging...I cried a couple of times during the latter half of the book as the focus shifted from tennis to broader topics such as identity, race, and politics...The book is well-written and largely factual, yet Rothenberg infuses the text with emotion and depth, providing a nuanced portrait of Osaka.’
Rebecca Wu, GLAM Adelaide
‘Ben Rothenberg’s sympathetic biography takes the reader off the court into the inner circle of coaches, managers, family and fans to paint a portrait of a complex, elusive young woman who is one of the most intriguing champions on the circuit today.’
Life Sentences
‘Naomi Osaka has an incredible inner strength, both on and off the court. She does everything, including speaking out on important social issues, with grace and kindness. Her courage is enormous. She is a trailblazer, a role model and an inspiration.’
Jelena Dokic
‘A comprehensive look at the career of a young tennis star.’
Kirkus
‘Rothenberg provides exciting accounts of key matches and a sensitive treatment of Osaka’s public battle with depression...Osaka’s fans will lap this up.’
Publishers Weekly
‘Ben Rothenberg worked alongside me for many years as a contributor to The New York Times. He is one of the best reporters in the global game of tennis, and he proves it once again with this deep dive into the multicultural phenomenon that is Naomi Osaka.’
Christopher Clarey, New York Times bestselling author of The Master
‘Ben Rothenberg’s myriad revelations will inspire re-evaluations of this most reluctant superstar. With uncommon reporting, he examines what drove Osaka and what drove her to despair, and in doing so he articulates how she has grown, changed, and changed the game around her.’
Mary Carillo, NBC Sports and HBO’s Real Sports
‘A compelling, comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating athletes of the past decade. Rothenberg provides essential context for both her on-court successes and off-court decisions. Even as someone who has covered Osaka’s entire career, I learned a lot.’
Tumaini Carayol, Guardian
‘What is the price of superstardom? Rothenberg had a front-row seat for Naomi Osaka’s rise from tennis curiosity to cultural icon and he beautifully captures the ups and downs of her riveting ride.’
Karen Crouse, author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence
‘An insightful look into the unconventional life of this Gen-Z tennis star…Sports fans will devour details about Osaka’s coaches and tournament matches…Especially moving is the account of how Osaka, a self-described introvert, made her foray into sports activism in support of the Black Lives Matter movement…Using her platform, Osaka has made a mark advocating for mental health and, as Rothenberg shows, along the way learned to be unapologetically herself.’
Booklist (starred review)
‘A meticulous biography that is, in turns, earnest and ardent.’
Wall Street Journal
‘The fearless tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg wrote the best book about a player I’ve read in a long while.’
Craig Shapiro Tennis podcast
‘More than a reporter of results…He covers the politics, social and cultural issues of the global game in print.’
RTRFM 92.1 The Sound Alternative
‘Naomi Osaka is the work of an expert journalist determined to leave no stone unturned in painting the bigger picture. The book is detailed, thoroughly researched and contextually placed to give Osaka’s story the wider cultural and political lens which is the attention she and her career deserves...Rothenberg gives incredible detail to the big moments of Osaka’s career and provides the insight of a seasoned tennis journalist…Through Rothenberg’s excellent journalism, engaging prose and respect for Osaka and women’s tennis, I feel like I understand not only more about her, but why I admire her so much.’
Siren Sport
‘4 stars. Incredibly detailed yet emotionally engaging...I cried a couple of times during the latter half of the book as the focus shifted from tennis to broader topics such as identity, race, and politics...The book is well-written and largely factual, yet Rothenberg infuses the text with emotion and depth, providing a nuanced portrait of Osaka.’
Rebecca Wu, GLAM Adelaide
‘Ben Rothenberg’s sympathetic biography takes the reader off the court into the inner circle of coaches, managers, family and fans to paint a portrait of a complex, elusive young woman who is one of the most intriguing champions on the circuit today.’
Life Sentences
May 14, 2024
Finished on a weeknight. Gifted to me by Debbie. This is the first tennis biography I have read that was not written by its subject. And while I deeply enjoyed Agassi, Dokic and Sharapova’s cuttingly personal & thrilling accounts of their lives spent chasing a yellow ball, I found Rothenberg’s hawk-eyed approach far, far more meaningful and enjoyable (AND THIS IS FROM SOMEONE WHO LOVED OPEN!) It reminded me of why I love tennis, and more broadly and histrionically, it retaught me the deep and valuable role sports plays in our lives in creating narratives that reflect and reflect culture, race, politics, psychologies, mythologies. And what a mirror tennis is; I was pretty much in awe for most of this book. The arch between Osaka and Williams felt nearly biblical in scope and power. This must be attributed to the depth of Rothenberg’s knowledge and research – each thread or theme in this book is dutifully contextualised, analysed, commented upon (in a pleasingly neutral manner), enriched by a thousand minute digressions that themselves draw poignant connections across various people and events.
It bewilders me how Naomi Osaka’s story is so rich, so gripping and moving, and yet she’s just one thread in a huge, constantly moving tapestry... tennis, I love you (but I still find you boring).
To dial back the effusiveness, this book does somewhat lack the thrill of tennis as a game – Rothenberg doesn’t really narrate rallies; rather he goes big-picture and tells the story of a match in games and sets (if that). So it’s not as nail biting as some other tennis books I’ve read. Also, Ben – if you read your Goodreads reviews, one small suggestion, maybe cut back on using the word ‘auspicious’. I noticed it quite a bit as it is a really conspicuous word.
It bewilders me how Naomi Osaka’s story is so rich, so gripping and moving, and yet she’s just one thread in a huge, constantly moving tapestry... tennis, I love you (but I still find you boring).
To dial back the effusiveness, this book does somewhat lack the thrill of tennis as a game – Rothenberg doesn’t really narrate rallies; rather he goes big-picture and tells the story of a match in games and sets (if that). So it’s not as nail biting as some other tennis books I’ve read. Also, Ben – if you read your Goodreads reviews, one small suggestion, maybe cut back on using the word ‘auspicious’. I noticed it quite a bit as it is a really conspicuous word.
February 19, 2024
Utterly fascinating! I've been intrigued by Naomi Osaka ever since she burst onto the tennis scene in 2018. Ben Rothenberg's wonderful, well-written and exhaustively researched biography answered all of my questions about Osaka, as well as a number of questions I never even thought of. Highly recommended.
February 27, 2024
Very interesting!
I worried how a tennis book would read (given how rough parts of Break Point have been to watch) but I think Rothenberg did a good job.
There was a good amount of links to other tennis players/ events - which I feel is necessary and nothing was too simplified which I was grateful for.
LOTS of discussion about Serena, which I can understand entirely, but also Osaka is paving her own way.. but again that wouldn’t be possible without the Williams sisters so I get it.
Only criticism would be that quotes from Naomi’s mother appear to just be from her memoir which seemed slightly jarring because it’s almost as if they were used just to fit in with the narrative.
Again, it’s unclear how much time Ben spent with Naomi but he did still give a very cohesive, insightful view into her career so far and the progress she has made, not only on the court.
It was not all one sided and did challenge Osaka in ways.
Yeah, enjoyable read and I feel I’ve had my non-fiction tennis fix for a while!
Also creds to Dymocks Books in Adelaide for giving me this for free in the ‘Hurt Books’ section because the back page was ripped off! What an excellent way for books that get damaged but are entirely readable to be used!!
I worried how a tennis book would read (given how rough parts of Break Point have been to watch) but I think Rothenberg did a good job.
There was a good amount of links to other tennis players/ events - which I feel is necessary and nothing was too simplified which I was grateful for.
LOTS of discussion about Serena, which I can understand entirely, but also Osaka is paving her own way.. but again that wouldn’t be possible without the Williams sisters so I get it.
Only criticism would be that quotes from Naomi’s mother appear to just be from her memoir which seemed slightly jarring because it’s almost as if they were used just to fit in with the narrative.
Again, it’s unclear how much time Ben spent with Naomi but he did still give a very cohesive, insightful view into her career so far and the progress she has made, not only on the court.
It was not all one sided and did challenge Osaka in ways.
Yeah, enjoyable read and I feel I’ve had my non-fiction tennis fix for a while!
Also creds to Dymocks Books in Adelaide for giving me this for free in the ‘Hurt Books’ section because the back page was ripped off! What an excellent way for books that get damaged but are entirely readable to be used!!
February 26, 2024
The early sections about Naomi's childhood were really well reported and had a ton of new material even for a big fan like me. Ben provides great context of how she became such a fascinating blend of cultures and interests, while recognizing the difficulty of fitting neatly into any of them. It's a family story in the end and her family is remarkable.
March 18, 2024
3.5 - interesting insight, and I learned a lot about her that I didn't already know
February 19, 2024
The audiobook narrator was excellent. Parts of this book were 5 stars and overall the book exceeded my expectations. I tend to think you need to follow tennis to enjoy this book. It might not be universally interesting the way Open was.
September 24, 2025
Biografia Naomi Osaki okazała się dosyć beznamiętnym opisem jej tenisowej kariery. Nie jest to niestety utwór na miarę porywającej biografii innego tenisisty A.Agassiego. Pomimo, że Naomi jest niezwykle barwną postacią, która realizuje się również poza kortami to konstrukcja tego tekstu nie porwała mnie i nie do końca przedstawiła jej sylwetkę w pełnej krasie. Materiały źródłowe to przede wszystkim wypowiedzi z pomeczowych konferencji prasowych lub twitterowe wpisy tenisistki. Chętnie wysłuchałabym aktualnego komentarza Osaki do przeszłych wydarzeń, przytaczanych przez autora. Poprawna w zakresie chronologii ale kompletnie pozbawiona dynamiki i charakteru.
September 18, 2024
I've followed professional tennis for decades and am always interested in players' journeys. Naomi Osaka certainly has had a different route than many other players. I loved this book. Clearly Osaka is an incredibly talented athlete, having already won 4 majors AND she is also a thoughtful observer and activist. Ben Rothenberg had unparalleled access to Osaka throughout the writing of his book. While I was more interested in the sections where he delved into Osaka the human being, I did enjoy the sections about her matches, the highs and the lows. A must read and well worth the 400+ pages!
March 31, 2024
I lived through and experienced so many of these public moments of Naomi’s career on television, through tennis media and tennis twitter, but Ben still made these events fresh, peeling back layers and providing new information from Naomi’s team and insights from behind the scenes.
I also appreciated that he taught the history of tennis in relation to Naomi’s own trajectory. Thorough, nuanced, well written and researched. I cannot wait to see who Ben profiles next.
I also appreciated that he taught the history of tennis in relation to Naomi’s own trajectory. Thorough, nuanced, well written and researched. I cannot wait to see who Ben profiles next.
April 7, 2025
I’m not opposed to long biographies — Lazenby is one of my favorite writers. I don’t generally love biographies (or memoirs) about athletes who haven’t yet retired, though. However, because of how many years I’ve spent enjoying Ben’s writing, I trusted that he would deliver a compelling and well-researched story that honors Naomi’s incredible career and life thus far. And boy, was I ever right. He nailed it. Felt on par with what I expect from Lazenby. Highly recommend. There’s a reverence and respect that Ben writes with in this one that feels almost like adoration. Just really good stuff.
March 30, 2024
All time favorite books. Multidimensional view of Naomi and life and times around her. Love the contextual historical references throughout. Love how the book starts in Japan before Naomi. So many ‘loves’ about this book. 5+ star rating.
September 29, 2025
Sure, not everything he does is perfect, but I feel that Ben Rothenberg is such an important figure for tennis journalism. If he was not doing the work he does, no one else will ever.
February 18, 2024
3.5 Stars!
I’m a big Naomi Osaka fan so I knew I had to read this book. Felt like reading a very well written and informative book report about Naomi Osaka. It further-cemented my Naomi fandom.
I’m a big Naomi Osaka fan so I knew I had to read this book. Felt like reading a very well written and informative book report about Naomi Osaka. It further-cemented my Naomi fandom.
March 18, 2024
Despite closely following tennis, I still learned a lot about the players and the tour in this wonderful examination of Naomi Osaka’s career so far. What a great athlete whose journey so far is able to reflect the cultural moments at the same time. I also really enjoyed the writing with many lines that made me pause and appreciate the way they were crafted.
June 24, 2024
Despite being a huge tennis fan, I was taken behind the scenes of my favorite sport and many of my favorite players by Ben. He also talks about some other topics that are relevant to understanding Naomi. I hope he writes a sequel in the future.
April 17, 2025
this feels like the story of tennis, women's tennis in the 2010s, through the lens of Naomi. everyone in the book feels real and not just a footnote in her story, examples include, Vikas story of fighting for her child's custody, ons being the only one who would get Naomi out of her shell. it's brilliant, I loved it.
September 2, 2024
Every page I learned something new about Naomi Osaka on how she is so fascinating, thoughtful, sweet, and has such a big and kind soul. I have been a dedicated fan and follower of Naomi’s and reading this just made me love her so much more than I already had!
February 4, 2024
I follow the author on Twitter. Well researched and great insights on the player and the pressures she faces on and off the court. My favorite favorite book of the year so far.
July 9, 2024
Naomi Osaka is an absolute superstar on and off the court and Ben does a great job of capturing the intricacies of the adventures she has gone on especially of the court
June 15, 2024
well researched and well written page turner
I’m a long time tennis and a Naomi fan and wasn’t sure I’d learn a lot from this book that I didn’t already know, but I was wrong. The book is really deeply researched including with interviews from Naomi and her team, and it’s written and structured in an engaging way that keeps you turning the pages and makes you feel like you’re reliving the moments described. Highly recommend
I’m a long time tennis and a Naomi fan and wasn’t sure I’d learn a lot from this book that I didn’t already know, but I was wrong. The book is really deeply researched including with interviews from Naomi and her team, and it’s written and structured in an engaging way that keeps you turning the pages and makes you feel like you’re reliving the moments described. Highly recommend
June 11, 2024
This is so well written and researched, and captures everything I admire about her as a player and a human.
June 5, 2024
very insightful and great read
Really enjoyed this book. Well researched and insightful read spanning a short time period but so many impactful events. Highly recommended.
Really enjoyed this book. Well researched and insightful read spanning a short time period but so many impactful events. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2024
Great book. It captures the contradictions of Osaka wonderfully, the driven single minded athlete and the young woman gripped by self doubt and internal demons. Osaka is truly a fascinating subject and a fabulous wrinkle to the often predictable athlete narrative of parent groomed machine like she'll of a human being. Osaka is deeply connected to her humanity. One criticism of the book is that it does not sufficiently capture her decision to start a family
May 22, 2024
If you have been following tennis, you might remember when Naomi addresses the journalist by name in telling him she doesn’t talk to people. This is that journalist. Ben presents Naomi’s journey very clearly and succinctly, pushing at all the right moments, and doing a reasonable job at dramatizing matches that might feel otherwise just a tally toward who won and lost. The reader gains a deeper understanding of where Osaka came from, what she represents, and how she frames herself as an athlete and contributing toward her larger purpose in the world.
January 21, 2024
Sportswriter Ben Rothenberg has produced a portrait of tennis champion Naomi Osaka that traces her childhood doubts and dreams into the present. It depicts issues of nationality, race and feminist drive against a background of the exciting world of sports both in the headlines and behind the scenes.
Naomi is the daughter of a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother. They, along with her older sister Mari, immigrated to the US when she was three. The girls’ father saw how Serena and Venus Williams had succeeded in tennis thanks to early coaching, and thus began Naomi’s ascent to fame. The Osaka sisters are compared and contrasted throughout Rothenberg’s dynamic portrayal of their coming of age. Naomi was chubby, while Mari seemed far more competent and fit for competition. But the two gradually became competitive equals, with Mari’s progress becoming a prod for Naomi.
Still, it would be several years before their training and zeal would yield positive results. Naomi took the spotlight in 2014 when she beat a prominent player in the Stanford Classic, causing onlookers to ask who she was and sponsors to approach the 16-year-old. In a post-match interview, she expressed her wish of “winning as many Grand Slams as I can.” Naomi would become one of the highest-ranking, wealthiest players in the profession, fulfilling her youthful desire. She endured challenges both on the court and within the culture.
Naomi, by her parents’ choice, represented not the US but Japan and was sometimes seen as Black. On a deeper level, despite her many highly lauded successes, Naomi suffered from a gnawing sense of inferiority, trying hard to open her mind to the abundance of attention her career was garnering. As Rothenberg reveals, she slowly learned to draw on her inner powers to sift through her embarrassment (sometimes contempt) to realize that she shouldn’t let it affect who she was and who she would continue to be.
Rothenberg, who became fascinated by Naomi’s rise to prominence, has researched his biographical heroine diligently, with commentary and input from family and fellow sports mavens. He acknowledges that during his pursuit of Naomi’s public and personal activities and sensitivities, he was immersed in “one of the most unpredictable chapters of her life,” a phase that concluded with her giving birth to a girl in July 2023. Color photographs enhance his narrative, showing Naomi giggling in front of a microphone and then weeping. This rich mixture underpins the book’s theme: Naomi is a proud, honest and open young lady who will always strive to stay in the forefront of whatever endeavor she undertakes.
Rothenberg’s wide-ranging tapestry will enchant Naomi Osaka’s fan base and introduce this remarkable woman to a new and doubtless admiring audience.
Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott
Naomi is the daughter of a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother. They, along with her older sister Mari, immigrated to the US when she was three. The girls’ father saw how Serena and Venus Williams had succeeded in tennis thanks to early coaching, and thus began Naomi’s ascent to fame. The Osaka sisters are compared and contrasted throughout Rothenberg’s dynamic portrayal of their coming of age. Naomi was chubby, while Mari seemed far more competent and fit for competition. But the two gradually became competitive equals, with Mari’s progress becoming a prod for Naomi.
Still, it would be several years before their training and zeal would yield positive results. Naomi took the spotlight in 2014 when she beat a prominent player in the Stanford Classic, causing onlookers to ask who she was and sponsors to approach the 16-year-old. In a post-match interview, she expressed her wish of “winning as many Grand Slams as I can.” Naomi would become one of the highest-ranking, wealthiest players in the profession, fulfilling her youthful desire. She endured challenges both on the court and within the culture.
Naomi, by her parents’ choice, represented not the US but Japan and was sometimes seen as Black. On a deeper level, despite her many highly lauded successes, Naomi suffered from a gnawing sense of inferiority, trying hard to open her mind to the abundance of attention her career was garnering. As Rothenberg reveals, she slowly learned to draw on her inner powers to sift through her embarrassment (sometimes contempt) to realize that she shouldn’t let it affect who she was and who she would continue to be.
Rothenberg, who became fascinated by Naomi’s rise to prominence, has researched his biographical heroine diligently, with commentary and input from family and fellow sports mavens. He acknowledges that during his pursuit of Naomi’s public and personal activities and sensitivities, he was immersed in “one of the most unpredictable chapters of her life,” a phase that concluded with her giving birth to a girl in July 2023. Color photographs enhance his narrative, showing Naomi giggling in front of a microphone and then weeping. This rich mixture underpins the book’s theme: Naomi is a proud, honest and open young lady who will always strive to stay in the forefront of whatever endeavor she undertakes.
Rothenberg’s wide-ranging tapestry will enchant Naomi Osaka’s fan base and introduce this remarkable woman to a new and doubtless admiring audience.
Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott
March 28, 2024
I don't follow tennis, do not know much about Naomi Osaka but have seen some of the criticism and quite frankly awful commentary about her. It sounds like she is an interesting player and person so I was curious to see what this was about. I'll admit to being a little hesitant about it since it is not written by her, etc. but hey, why not?
Rothenberg does give us a deeply reported and researched book about Osaka's life and career. We find out a little bit about how her parents and how they met, how Osaka got into tennis, her career, some of her life, etc. As someone who is Black and Japanese she is a little different from other tennis players and it is interesting to see how she has navigated the tennis world that also, to be honest, could not handle Serena and Venus Williams, either.
Overall while it has a lot I did not know, the book was awful to read. Books by journalists can be hit or miss for me and I was very disappointed that someone with such an interesting story could be subject of such a dull book. As mentioned: it is well researched and there is a lot here, but it also read like a really boring book report (I suppose the cover doesn't help either).
For the subject matter I'll bet that there will be people who will love reading on Osaka and more on her if they're not into tennis but want to know about her. As a sports biography, as a biography, as a book, though, this was really terrible. I look forward to reading a memoir of her own someday.
Borrowed from the library and that was definitely best for me. If you're a fan this might not be bad, but be prepared to slog through it.
Rothenberg does give us a deeply reported and researched book about Osaka's life and career. We find out a little bit about how her parents and how they met, how Osaka got into tennis, her career, some of her life, etc. As someone who is Black and Japanese she is a little different from other tennis players and it is interesting to see how she has navigated the tennis world that also, to be honest, could not handle Serena and Venus Williams, either.
Overall while it has a lot I did not know, the book was awful to read. Books by journalists can be hit or miss for me and I was very disappointed that someone with such an interesting story could be subject of such a dull book. As mentioned: it is well researched and there is a lot here, but it also read like a really boring book report (I suppose the cover doesn't help either).
For the subject matter I'll bet that there will be people who will love reading on Osaka and more on her if they're not into tennis but want to know about her. As a sports biography, as a biography, as a book, though, this was really terrible. I look forward to reading a memoir of her own someday.
Borrowed from the library and that was definitely best for me. If you're a fan this might not be bad, but be prepared to slog through it.
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