Naomi Osaka has discussed what her childhood was like, as she grew up under a strict training regimen developed by her father to help her become a successful tennis player.
Osaka’s father, Leonard François, who played a pivotal role in her rise to tennis stardom, has admitted to being inspired by Richard Williams’ training methods for the Williams sisters.
“The blueprint was already there,” François told ‘The New York Times’ in 2018. “I just had to follow it.”
What Naomi Osaka Told Jay Shetty About Being a Part of Her Father’s Blueprint for Success
The Japanese tennis sensation recently appeared on the “Jay Shetty Podcast,” where she discussed details from her life.
“What was it like living that blueprint?” Shetty asked Osaka. “How aware were you of that when you were growing up?”
“Living in that blueprint was something that I just grew used to,” Osaka said. “It was kind of just me and my sister and my dad on the tennis court for like at least 8 hours during the day.”
Naomi Osaka’s sister Mari, a former professional tennis player, peaked in the top 300 in the singles rankings.
The 27-year-old has revealed that because of her father’s strict regimen, she felt she had no choice but to be successful in tennis.
Read More: Naomi Osaka Comes Clean About an Act That’s Started Inducing ‘Anxiety’ After Initially ‘Not Caring’
“It was kind of one of those things where I began to think to myself like, ‘It would be very weird if I didn’t make it’ and I had no choice to because this was my life,” she said. “I was just so dedicated towards it.”
However, she said she thought it was “really funny” that her said that there was an “exact blueprint.”
François emulated Richard Williams by teaching Naomi and Mari to play tennis on clay courts, the way Serena and Williams learned. Like Williams, he also moved his family to Florida and homeschooled his girls.
Osaka, a 4-time Grand Slam singles champion and former World No. 1, is returning to the sport after two breaks.
She took a hiatus in 2021, citing mental health concerns, and again in 2023 for pregnancy and motherhood.
Naomi Osaka Is Making Significant Strides in Her Comeback to Tennis
Osaka’s return to the WTA tour began in January 2024. Over the months, Osaka has steadily improved her climb back up the rankings, currently sitting at No. 49 on the WTA chart.
Osaka has shown flashes of her usual brilliance at the ongoing National Bank Open in Montreal. In the quarterfinal, she will face No. 10 seed Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
A few days earlier, the Japanese player split from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, best known for his 10-year partnership with American tennis legend Serena Williams.
Osaka began working with the legendary coach in September 2024, trying to recapture the form that brought her four Grand Slam titles and the World No. 1 ranking.
“Merci Patrick,” Osaka wrote after their split. “It was such a great experience learning from you.” She continued, “Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people l’ve ever met and I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
