David Farnor | On 08, Jul 2021

What does it feel like to be one of the best tennis players in the world? Netflix aims to find out this summer with a new documentary following Naomi Osaka.

The three-part series gives us an intimate glimpse inside the life of an elite global superstar and a young woman navigating a pressure-filled world. With unprecedented access, we follow Osaka during a two-year period in which she works on her game but also begins to find her voice. Whether she’s defending her grand slam titles — while wearing masks in defense of Black lives — mourning the unexpected loss of mentor Kobe Bryant or finding her independence, the challenges Naomi faces on a personal level begin to align with those in the public sphere.

The episodes also travel the globe with Osaka to further explore her Haitian roots as well as examine her deep connection to Japan, the country she represents. The series debuts on Netflix on 16th July, just in time to fill the Wimbledon-shaped hole in your life.

Here’s the trailer:

 

Naomi Osaka is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Netflix serves up documentary following Naomi Osaka

14th February 2020

Netflix is serving a new documentary following tennis star Naomi Osaka.

The untitled series, in association with UNINTERRUPTED and produced by Film 45, takes us on a journey with the multiple Grand Slam Champion, Naomi Osaka, who became the first Asian player to reach the No 1 singles ranking after winning her first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2018 and second at the Australian Open in 2019. With unprecedented access to Osaka, the documentary gives audiences a deep window into the life of a global tennis superstar.

The series will cover Naomi’s pivotal year, from the US Open in August 2019 and on tour with the tennis star as she plays in each of the Grand Slams and prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, Osaka emigrated from Japan to the US as a child, where she rose to become the first Asian player to reach the heights of international tennis. Spending time with her during a hectic training and travel schedule, the crew explores the immense pressure she’s under, her journey of self-discovery, off-season time digging into her interests and her well-known, quirky and honest personality. They also travel with Naomi to Japan to understand her deep connection with the country she represents and the reflections of her multi-cultural identity.

“To be able to tell my story and let people in during this big year, working with a team that really understands me, has been a rewarding experience. It won’t look like a traditional sports documentary, and I’m so excited to share it with everyone,” says Osaka

The series is directed by Garrett Bradley, who short film Alone, made with The New York Times OpDocs, was shortlisted for an Academy Award. At Sundance 2020, Bradley won Best Director for her US documentary feature in competition TIME.

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