Over the past few years, tennis champion Naomi Osaka has proved to be one of the world’s most interesting and influential athletes to watch, both on and off the court. Currently ranked the No. 2 women’s tennis player in the world, she made headlines earlier this year when she announced she would not participate in post-match press conferences at the French Open, citing concerns for her mental health. (She was consequently fined for her decision and eventually dropped out of the tournament altogether.) Now, a new Netflix docuseries follows her over the course of two years as she speaks candidly about the pressure she has felt because of her sudden move into the spotlight.
The trailer for the eponymous documentary, released today, details how Osaka grappled with fame after winning the U.S. Open in 2018 (when the crowd famously booed her for beating Serena Williams), her relationship with her parents, and how all this has impacted the way she views tennis. In the three-part series, Osaka opens up about the unexpected difficulties of her journey to becoming one the most influential athletes in the world, including the unexpected loss of her mentor Kobe Bryant, intense traveling and training, and the reactions to her speaking out about Black Lives Matter as an athlete. Last month, Osaka announced her withdrawal from Wimbledon to prioritize “time with friends and family” but assured fans that she will still participate in the Olympics. The documentary premieres on Netflix July 16, making it the perfect thing to watch in the meantime.
