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From Forbidden Love to Grand Slam Glory
Naomi Osaka’s journey to tennis stardom didn’t happen by accident. Behind her four Grand Slam titles and historic rise to world No. 1 lies a remarkable family story of sacrifice, cultural identity, and unwavering support that began long before she ever picked up a tennis racket.
Leonard Francois and Tamaki Osaka: A Cross-Cultural Love Story
Meeting Against the Odds
Naomi’s parents met in Japan under circumstances that would test their relationship from the very beginning. Leonard Francois, a Haitian college student, fell in love with Tamaki Osaka while she was still in high school. They kept their romance secret for years, knowing her traditional Japanese family would disapprove of their interracial relationship.
Their fears proved justified. When Tamaki’s family discovered the relationship, they cut off contact with her for nearly five years – a devastating price to pay for following her heart.
Building a Family in Two Worlds
Despite the family rejection, Leonard and Tamaki pressed forward. They welcomed Mari Osaka in 1996, followed by Naomi in 1997, both born in Japan. The young family made a bold move in 2000, relocating to Long Island, New York, where Leonard’s relatives provided a support system they desperately needed.
Eventually, they settled in Florida, where both daughters would develop their tennis careers – though their true home remains wherever Naomi is competing.
The Tennis Master Plan: Following the Williams Blueprint
Leonard’s Strategic Vision
Leonard Francois never hid his ambitions for his daughters. He openly admitted to modeling his approach after Richard Williams, who coached Venus and Serena Williams to tennis greatness.
“The blueprint was already there,” Leonard told The New York Times in 2018. “I just had to follow it.”
Despite having no formal tennis training himself, Leonard committed to developing both daughters into professional players. While Mari retired in 2021, Naomi has exceeded even her father’s ambitious dreams.
The “Annoying” Coach
Leonard’s coaching style has become legendary among tennis fans – not for tactical brilliance, but for his simple, zen-like approach. During matches, he’s known for shouting just two words of advice: “Be calm.”
Naomi has joked about her father’s unique coaching methods: “Yeah, he’s so annoying. Oh, my God. Do you hear his on-court coaching? I can’t believe it. He runs up to the bench talking about, ‘Be calm.’ That’s it. He doesn’t give me any tactics.”
Cultural Identity: Choosing Japan Over America
A Family Decision
One of the most significant decisions in Naomi’s career came when she chose to represent Japan instead of the United States, eventually giving up her American citizenship to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
This wasn’t a last-minute choice driven by financial incentives. As Tamaki explained to the Wall Street Journal: “We made the decision that Naomi would represent Japan at an early age. She was born in Osaka and was brought up in a household of Japanese and Haitian culture. Quite simply, Naomi and her sister Mari have always felt Japanese.”
Embracing Diversity
The decision reflected the multicultural household Leonard and Tamaki created. They wanted their daughters to have a strong sense of cultural identity that honored both their Japanese and Haitian heritage – something that would later become central to Naomi’s public persona.
Tamaki Osaka: The Ultimate Tennis Mom
Sacrificing Everything for Her Daughters
Behind every great tennis player is often a parent who gave up everything for their child’s dreams. For Naomi, that person is her mother, Tamaki.
“Growing up, I saw my mother work incredibly hard to support me and my passion for play,” Naomi told People in 2021. “She always put others first and encouraged me to embrace my diversity.”
Teaching Life Lessons Beyond Tennis
Tamaki’s influence extends far beyond tennis logistics and tournament travel. She instilled in Naomi the confidence to be different and the courage to speak out on issues that matter to her – qualities that have defined Naomi’s career as much as her powerful serve.
The Osaka Family Today: Supporting Success and Motherhood
New Chapter: Balancing Tennis and Motherhood
Naomi’s life took a beautiful turn in July 2023 when she welcomed daughter Shai with rapper Cordae. After taking time away from tennis for pregnancy and early motherhood, she returned to competition with renewed purpose.
Her recent run to the 2025 US Open semifinals – her first Grand Slam semifinal since becoming a mother – proves that the support system her parents built continues to serve her well.
Family Values in Action
Throughout her career’s ups and downs, including her brave decision to prioritize mental health by withdrawing from the 2021 French Open and Wimbledon, Naomi’s parents have remained her strongest advocates.
Their approach of putting family first while maintaining high expectations has created a foundation that allows Naomi to take necessary breaks without losing her competitive edge.
The Legacy Continues
More Than Tennis Success
The Osaka family story transcends sports achievement. Leonard and Tamaki’s willingness to face family rejection, relocate across continents, and dedicate their lives to their daughters’ dreams created more than just a tennis champion – they raised a young woman confident enough to use her platform for social change and mental health awareness.
Role Model for Modern Families
As Naomi continues competing while raising her own daughter, the values her parents instilled – cultural pride, family sacrifice, and authentic self-expression – remain central to her identity.
“I want to show them that I stick to my beliefs and love who I am,” Naomi has said about being a role model. “Then maybe one day it will help them feel confident that it’s okay to be different and create their own lane – as long as they remain true to themselves.”
The blueprint Leonard followed from Richard Williams has evolved into something uniquely their own – proving that behind every tennis champion is often a family willing to risk everything for love and dreams.
Image Credits:
Leonard Francois, Naomi Osaka and Tamaki Osaka in 2025 :
Sean Zanni/Getty