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Sign up todayNaomi Osaka
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Learn moreA deeply reported, revealing biography of tennis phenomenon and activist Naomi Osaka, telling the untold story behind her Grand Slam-winning career, her headline-making advocacy for racial justice and mental health, and the challenges of a life in the international spotlight.
Naomi Osaka is everywhere, but how did she get there?
Most tennis fans were introduced to Naomi Osaka as they watched her win the 2018 US Open final in an unforgettably controversial and dramatic victory over her idol, Serena Williams.
Her extraordinary talent propelled her to the top of her sport and onto the front page of newspapers and magazines worldwide, but it was her unique blend of awe-striking power and disarming vulnerability that fascinated millions as she became a champion like none before her.
Osaka has captivated the tennis world-- and gained attention across the culture-- not only by winning three more Grand Slams but by finding her voice on a range of topics that have made her a touchstone far beyond sports, positioned at the crossroads of myriad social issues.
Even as she became the highest-paid female athlete in history and one of the most discussed of the past decade, until now, the story of the Haitian-Japanese-American Osaka family’s journey across the world to follow their tennis dreams has remained little known. It is a story unlike any other, and Ben Rothenberg’s biography not only shows where Osaka came from but also where she's going as she returns to competitive tennis after a year on maternity leave. Through a riveting exploration of the ways Osaka has changed the game on and off the court, Rothenberg details the incredible impact Osaka has had in the arenas of sports, media, business, social justice, and mental health.
Ben Rothenberg is a sportswriter from Washington, D.C. who has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014, both in print for The New York Times-- for which he covered tennis from 2011-2022-- and on his podcast, No Challenges Remaining. His work has focused on the intersections of social and cultural issues in tennis. His longform writing has been published in outlets including Slate and Racquet. He has also appeared frequently as a tennis expert on international networks such as CNN, the BBC, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. With an eye for finding stories and dogged determination as a reporter, Rothenberg has been called "the most powerful tennis journalist in the world" and is one of the leading voices in the sport—including on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he has more than 150,000 followers.
Ben Rothenberg is a sportswriter from Washington, D.C. who has covered Naomi Osaka around the world since she emerged onto the WTA Tour in 2014, both in print for The New York Times-- for which he covered tennis from 2011-2022-- and on his podcast, No Challenges Remaining. His work has focused on the intersections of social and cultural issues in tennis. His longform writing has been published in outlets including Slate and Racquet. He has also appeared frequently as a tennis expert on international networks such as CNN, the BBC, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. With an eye for finding stories and dogged determination as a reporter, Rothenberg has been called "the most powerful tennis journalist in the world" and is one of the leading voices in the sport—including on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he has more than 150,000 followers.
Reviews
“A meticulous biography that is, in turns, earnest and ardent…There will be another book, no doubt, in a few years’ time and, judging by the quality of this one, we’d certainly want Mr. Rothenberg to write it.” —Wall Street Journal“Bolder than previous accounts of the star’s sometimes turbulent life." —Washington Post
“A coming-of-age story.” —Asian Review of Books
"A thorough and deeply reported biography." —The New Yorker
"Rothenberg’s wide-ranging tapestry will enchant Naomi Osaka’s fan base and introduce this remarkable woman to a new and doubtless admiring audience.” —Bookreporter
"Offers an insightful lookinto the unconventional life of this Gen-Z tennis star. Sports fans will devour details about Osaka’s coaches and tournament matches on her way to becoming the number one ranked female tennis player in the world." —Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
“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
"A must-read for any tennis fan.” —Town & Country
"Deeply-reported." —The Daily Beast
"This biography of the tennis star serves as an inspirational look into her life building a career in tennis, finding success as a champion, and standing up for her own wellness and self-care despite naysayers and critics." —xo Necole
“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 andwhat 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-courtsuccesses and off-court decisions. Even as someone who has covered Osaka’s entire career, I learned a lot.” —Tumaini Carayol, The 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
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