Naomi Osaka Gives Up US Citizenship to play tennis in Tokyo Olympics

Photo courtesy of : (Ap Photo // Andrew Wong)

Naomi Osaka has already started the process of surrendering her U.S. citizenship so that she can be able to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for her country Japan.

She started the process of giving up her U.S. citizen in the beginning of October. Osaka wants to represent her country in the Olympics because she has not had the opportunity to do that before.

Osaka’s father is from Haiti and her mother is from Japan. Her parents made the announcement of giving up her citizenship in an interview with Japanaese broadcast organization ,Nippon Hoso Kyokai. Osaka said that she calls it a “special desire” to pursue Japanese citizenship. According to Asaka, competing in the Olympics for Japan is going to be one of the best things that ever happens to her there is no other place that she would rather play her first Olympics.

Osaka is currently ranked number three in the world right now. She became the first Japanese tennis play to win a Grand Slam after beating number nine ranked Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S Open. She also won the Australian Open this year after beating number six ranked Petra Kvitova taking home her second ever Grand Slam title.

In order for her to be eligible to play for her country in the Olympics, she must also participate for Japan in one more national team competition that will be hosted by the International Tennis Federation.

Japan has never won a gold medal in tennis at the Olympics. Osaka’s first Olympics may prove to be Japan’s best shot at winning a gold medal.

Osaka has represented Japan during the World Tennis Association Tour. She won the China Open two weeks ago.

On the Olympic news channel Osaka said, “I’m kind of looking forward to everything like the opening ceremony. It’s also a very big honor to even be participating.

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