20-year-old tennis star Naomi Osaka beat Serena Williams in an eventful match to win her first Grand Slam on Sunday. Four days later, she’s won again – securing a deal to become a Nissan brand ambassador.
Osaka travelled to the firm’s global HQ in Yokohama to announce the deal, during appearances and interviews in Japan, where she was born.
The newest Grand Slam champion’s mother is Japanese and her father is a Haitian-American. She moved to the United States when she was three, although she still competes for Japan.
She is the first Japanese player to win a women’s singles Grand Slam title.
The deal with Nissan will see Osaka appear in advertising and promotions for Nissan – and the firm will also provide cars for Osaka and her team at tour destinations. She’ll undoubtedly get her own Nissan (or two) to use at home, too.
“This week has been a dream come to life, and I’m so honoured to represent Japan and Nissan on the world stage,” said Osaka.
“I was drawn to partner with Nissan because of its strong Japanese DNA and global competitive spirit. I look forward to bringing its vision for driving excitement to new audiences around the world.”
“With a combination of grit and grace, Naomi Osaka is not afraid to take on the best tennis players of our time, and win,” said Nissan senior vice president Asako Hoshino.
“This is the same spirit of performance that Nissan has embodied throughout our history – exemplified most recently by the Nissan Leaf, which defied the odds to become the best-selling electric vehicle in the world.
“And just like Naomi, Nissan is just getting started.”
