How Naomi Osaka's remarkable career made her one of the world's most marketable athletes

Naomi Osaka is an incredible athlete, a champion, and a history maker. But most importantly, she is a role model for others all around the world.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has gained significant recognition as an activist and she has most recently become an advocate for mental health awareness.

Her remarkable career and work off the court has already made her one of the world’s recognised sportspeople and in turn, one of the most marketable.

In the space of a few years, Osaka has gone from being a shy figure on the WTA tour, to a leading voice for those who need it most.

Her tennis talent and endearing personality is an attractive combination for brands wanting to work with the Japanese star, and Osaka is quite the savvy businesswoman herself.

In 2021, the 24-year-old was listed as the world’s highest paid female athlete for the third year in a row, and 12th in the world overall after bringing in $60 million (£49m), according to Forbes.

An astonishing $55 million (£45m) was from off-the-field earnings, meaning more than 90 percent of Osaka’s income was down to her business ventures.

2021's Highest-Paid Female Athletes, per @forbes:

1️⃣ Naomi Osaka, $57.3M

2️⃣ Serena Williams, $46M

3️⃣ Venus Williams, $11.3M

4️⃣ Simone Biles, $10M

5️⃣ G. Muguruza, $8.8M

6️⃣ Jin Young Ko, $7.5M

7️⃣ P.V. Sindhu, $7.2M

8️⃣ Ashleigh Barty, $6.9M

9️⃣ N. Korda, $6M