Osaka popularity rockets in Japan

Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open triumph went into orbit yesterday as a Japanese astronaut sent greetings from the international space station.

Astronaut Soichi Noguchi wrote: “Naomi Osaka, congratulations on the victory.”

Naomi Osaka in the locker room after her winning the Australian Women’s final. Photo: Tennis Australia/ FIONA HAMILTON

And Japanese media went into overdrive predicting a gold medal for Osaka at the Tokyo Olympics later this year.

“Osaka is a step closer to gold at the Tokyo Olympics,” the Nikkan sport daily wrote.

Osaka spoke during a photo call in Melbourne today, saying she took a two-hour nap after she beat Jennifer Brady in the women’s singles final yesterday, but then said she was already focusing on Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

Naomi Osaka at Government House in Melbourne. Photo: Tennis Australia/ FIONA HAMILTON

“The biggest thing I did was take a nap and I won and now I’m here,” she said. “So hopefully I can celebrate a bit more now.

“Bit for me I think the biggest goal right nome is to win Wimbledon or the French Open.

“I think everyone knows that I can do well on hardcourt, but for me I just want to get comfortable on the other surfaces.

Naomi Osaka plays a forehand during the women’s singles final. Photo: Tennis Australia/ MICHAEL DODGE

“It’s an honour to be this conversation but I also feel my biggest goal is to be more consistent throughout the year, not just randomly popping up and winning a Grand Slam.”

Peter Rowe

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