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By Thomasine Gaither

For the Enterprise

Naomi Osaka, professional tennis player, has invested in the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player who has been ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association, and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. She is three-time Grand Slam singles champion and is the reigning champion at the U.S. Open.

Osaka’s professional interest in sports took her further than tennis to an investment in the Courage, citing a desire to support women as role models and leaders.

Osaka is the first investor in the Courage since Steve Malik acquired the Western New York Flash and moved the team to North Carolina in 2017. The Courage has won two NWSL titles since the move.

“The women who have invested in me growing up,” says Osaka, “made me who I am today and I cannot think of where my life would be without them. My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner, it’s an investment in amazing women who are role models and leaders in their fields and inspirations to all young female athletes.”

I also admire everything the Courage does for diversity and equality in the community, which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward.

Osaka, at the young age of 23, has taken the professional game of tennis to another level, not forgetting everyone who invested in her for greatness. Today, Naomi Osaka not only can give back, she encourages others to excel in their own gifts and talents.