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Nicolas Atkin

Life is coming fast at Naomi Osaka after her stunning US Open triumph, and the 20-year-old has been doing the rounds on the US talk show circuit as she adjusts to her new-found fame and fortune.
But with that US$3.8 million prize money comes some caveats – including having to spill your celebrity crush to Ellen DeGeneres.
Osaka, who beat Serena Williams in a controversial final last weekend to become the first Japanese grand slam champion, admitted on The Ellen Show on Wednesday – after some teasing and pressing by the host – that she was quite taken with “the villain from Black Panther”.
Of course, Osaka was talking about Michael B. Jordan, and DeGeneres handily had the 31-year-old American actor in her contacts on her phone.
Naomi Osaka confirmed for Hong Kong Tennis Open as organisers announce extended 2018 line-up


As Osaka cringed and pleaded with DeGeneres to stop, the comedian began texting Jordan – who played Erik Killmonger in the hit Marvel film – about Osaka.
Osaka was clearly left feeling sheepish by the incident, responding to DeGeneres’ video post of their exchange on Twitter with a tweet of her own saying, “OK, it’s time for me to leave this planet. Embarrassment level has reached critical stage #liftoff”, along with three rocket ship emojis for good measure.
Naomi Osaka’s US Open win over Serena Williams gives Japan an unlikely hero after devastating typhoon and earthquake
But sure enough, she soon got a response from Creed star Jordan, who sent DeGeneres a video congratulating Osaka on her success in New York.

I texted @MichaelB4Jordan about @Naomi_Osaka_. Obvi he responded. pic.twitter.com/NNwq2iBcaK
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 12, 2018

“I wanted to send my love and support and just say congratulations, it’s a big moment for you,” Jordan said. “The way you carried yourself with such humility and grace, it’s really amazing to see.
“You’re setting an amazing example for the little boys and girls that are looking up to you. So continue to work hard.
“A lot of times you’re on this journey, and a lot people don’t see the process, they only see the end results. Just know all the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into your sport, people are finally being able to see.
“That’s a big thing to be proud of. ... Keep being great, everybody’s watching now. Me too.”

It will surely be another surreal moment for the formerly unheralded Osaka, who is of Japanese and Haitian descent and has shot up to world number seven in the latest WTA rankings.
As well as playing matchmaker, DeGeneres also asked her what Williams whispered in her ear during the trophy presentation, when a tearful Osaka looked shaken by the boos from the crowd following Williams’ high-profile spat with umpire Carlos Ramos.
Serena Williams cartoon: Mark Knight defends Herald Sun drawing of US Open tantrum after ‘racism’ accusations
“She said she was proud of me and that I should know that the crowd wasn’t booing at me,” Osaka said. “At the time, I did ... think that they were booing at me.
“I couldn’t tell what was going on, because it was just so loud in there. It was a little bit stressful. So I was really happy that she said that.”



 

 
 


 
 

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A post shared by Naomi Osaka 大坂なおみ (@naomiosakatennis) on Sep 12, 2018 at 1:46pm PDT



Following her appearance on The Ellen Show, where she also posed for a selfie with fellow guests LeBron James and Channing Tatum, Osaka flew to Tokyo Haneda airport to greet her legion of Japanese fans.
Osaka has quickly capitalised on her new-found fame, and was announced on Thursday as the new “brand ambassador” for Japanese car giant Nissan.

After signing a three-year deal with the company, she was mobbed by Japanese media at a press conference at Nissan’s headquarters in Yokohama.
She also made an appearance at a press conference for her main sponsor Nissin, the Japanese ramen and instant noodle company, who had taken out full-page adverts in Japanese newspapers earlier this week to congratulate her.

Born to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, Osaka left Japan aged three to live in the US but resisted the United States Tennis Association’s advances and chose to represent Japan in the Fed Cup.
Following her big-money deal with Nissan, Osaka is expected to land a substantial increase on her four-year deal with sportswear company Adidas – a contract reportedly worth in the low six figures – which is set to expire this year.
“Her brand value for Adidas is in the millions now,” sports marketing consultant Joe Favorito told the New York Post.
Serena Williams gets backing in US Open sexism row by WTA chief Steve Simon after loss to Naomi Osaka


Year in tennis: ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry splits men’s grand slams while 4 share women’s titles

Andre Agassi on Hong Kong, his comeback and learning to live in the present

Aryna Sabalenka on loving Hong Kong, Steffi Graf and inspiring young players

National Games: Hong Kong tennis chiefs hope golden November will boost sport’s elite status

US Open (tennis)

Naomi Osaka catches Michael B. Jordan’s attention as Ellen DeGeneres plays matchmaker for US Open champion

Naomi Osaka poses with Ellen DeGeneres. Photo: Twitter/@TheEllenShow

Japan's Naomi Osaka, the US Open women's singles tennis tournament champion, attends a press conference at a hotel in Yokohama on September 13, 2018. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Naomi Osaka of Japan after winning the Women's Singles finals match alongside runner up Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Julian Finney/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

US Open winner, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, arrives at Tokyo Haneda airport, on September 13, 2018. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)

Serena Williams cartoon: Mark Knight defends Herald Sun drawing of US Open tantrum after ‘racism’ accusations

Serena Williams argues with the chair umpire during a match against Naomi Osaka. Photo: AP

TOPSHOT - US Open Womens Single champion Naomi Osaka of Japan (L) with Serena Williams of the US during their Women's Singles Finals match at the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 8, 2018. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

FILE PHOTO: Serena Williams of the United States yells at chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the women's final against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day thirteen of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, U.S., September 8, 2018. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Serena Williams of the United States smashes her racket during the women's final against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day thirteen of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, U.S., September 8, 2018. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS/File Photo

Naomi Osaka’s US Open win over Serena Williams gives Japan an unlikely hero after devastating typhoon and earthquake

Naomi Osaka of Japan (left) cries as Serena Williams of the USA comforts her during the trophy ceremony of the 2018 US Open. Photo: USA Today

Japanese media reacts to Naomi Osaka

TOPSHOT - Russia's Maria Sharapova serves to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their 2018 US Open Women's Singles tennis match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 3, 2018. (Photo by EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ / AFP)

(180909) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Naomi Osaka of Japan kisses the trophy during the awarding ceremony after winning the women's singles final match against Serena Williams of the United States at the 2018 US Open tennis tournament in New York, the United States, Sept. 8, 2018. Osaka won 2-0 and claimed the title. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Sep 8, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States yells at chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the women's final against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day thirteen of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a backhand during a U.S. Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in New York on Sept. 7, 2018. Nishikori lost 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sep 8, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States smashes her racket during the women's final against Naomi Osaka of Japan (not pictured) on day thirteen of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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Tennis

The 20-year-old gets sweet message from Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan after some teasing from US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, before flying to Japan to tie up big-money Nissan deal
