Naomi Osaka leaves teenage years behind

By Cody Fitzpatrick Oct 17, 2017
Pop Culture

Review: Plenty to be excited about in TopSpin 2K25, which successfully recreates the joy (and frustration) of tennis

By Stephanie Livaudais and Spencer Thordarson Apr 24, 2024
Pop Culture

Coco Gauff dishes on 'embracing adulthood' in TIME magazine's May cover story

By Baseline Staff Apr 24, 2024
Pick of the Day

Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Dominik Koepfer, Madrid

By Zachary Cohen Apr 24, 2024
Line Calls

ATP Mutua Madrid Open Betting Preview

By Baseline Staff Apr 24, 2024
Social

It's a girl! Belinda Bencic welcomes her first child, a daughter named Bella

By Baseline Staff Apr 24, 2024
Pop Culture

Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of Challengers

By Associated Press Apr 23, 2024
Line Calls

WTA Mutua Madrid Open Betting Preview

By Baseline Staff Apr 23, 2024
Lifestyle

Without a driver's license, what will Elena Rybakina do with the Stuttgart Porsche?

By Baseline Staff Apr 23, 2024
Pop Culture

How does Taylor feel about Taylor? Fritz speaks on his appreciation for Swift

By Baseline Staff Apr 23, 2024

Naomi Osaka leaves teenage years behind

The newly minted 20-year-old made some waves in 2017.

ByCody Fitzpatrick

Published Oct 17, 2017

If you watched a lot of tennis in the past year, you probably heard the phrase "talented teenager Naomi Osaka" uttered quite a bit.

Well now, announcers will need to find a new descriptor, as Monday was Osaka's 20th birthday.

Advertising

The Japanese sensation has one of the most amusing online presences in the sport, as her Twitter bio states: "I play tennis and make jokes that nobody ever gets."

Filled with ups and downs, Osaka's final year as a teenager was definitely an exciting one.

In July, she played her first-ever main draw at Wimbledon, defeating Sara Sorribes Tormoa and Barbora Strycova, before falling in the third round to one of her childhood idols, Venus Williams.

Advertising

On her way  to the third round at the US Open, Osaka ousted defending champion Angelique Kerber in two fast sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Kerber would get her revenge (twice) during the Asia swing.

Advertising

Then there was this unforgettable press-conference after her second-round US Open win over Denis Allertova:

In Hong Kong, less than a week ago, Osaka finally got that win over Williams ...

Advertising

... and celebrated with a boat ride.

Advertising

Let's just hope her next birthday ends up being more fun than this one.