Naomi Osaka is the new queen of women’s tennis.
The 21-year-old, born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, is the new WTA world No. 1 after she won her second consecutive major singles title with her 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-4 final-round win in the Australian Open final over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
In September, Osaka broke through to win her first major title in unexpected fashion at the U.S. Open, defeating Serena Williams in the final.
By lifting her second career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Osaka is the first Japanese player – man or woman – to achieve this historic No. 1 milestone since computer rankings were introduced in 1975, and the 26th woman overall to hold the No.1 ranking. At 21 years, 104 days old, she will also become the youngest player to make her WTA World No.1 debut since Caroline Wozniacki who reached No.1 in 2010 at 20 years, 92 days old.
“I’m beyond excited to become the new WTA World No.1,” said Osaka in a statement released by the WTA moments after her win over Kvitova. “I’ve always dreamt of being in this position and I am honored to be part of the elite group of players who have reached the No.1 ranking.”
After reaching the semifinals at the China Open (Beijing) last October, Osaka became the second Japanese woman to break into the WTA Top 5, following Kimiko Date who reached as high as World No.4 in November 1995.
This No.1 crowning achievement is the latest accolade in Osaka’s young career, having clinched her career first WTA title at the Premier Mandatory BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) in 2018. Following her US Open triumph in 2018 to win her first Grand Slam, she reached the final at the Toray Pan Pacific Open (Tokyo) and qualified for her first WTA Finals at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
