Naomi Osaka's unique achievement at the Olympics: What the Japanese has done that many tennis greats haven't

While Naomi Osaka has not enjoyed great success at the Olympic games, the Japanese superstar has managed to accomplish something many sportspeople only dream of. During the Tokyo Olympics, Osaka became the first-ever tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron.

It is the history of the Olympic games that a sports player from the host country, lights the fire in the cauldron to signal the start of the Olympic games. The Tokyo Olympics was scheduled for 2020 but was pushed ahead by a year due to Covid. The tournament eventually began in 2021 and Naomi Osaka lighting the Olympic cauldron signalled the start of the event.

Osaka took to social media and expressed her feelings soon after the magical moment. The Japanese star admitted that it is the greatest achievement of her life and one that she will never forget.

"Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life. I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness. Love you guys thank you," Naomi Osaka wrote in the caption.

Before being handed over to Naomi Osaka, the flame was passed around multiple times, including by former New York Yankees star, Hideki Matsui. The flame was later handed to a Japanese doctor and a nurse as a thank-you for their tireless work during the pandemic. Later, the students who were given the flame by Paralympian Tsuchida Wakako, handed it over to Naomi Osaka, who lit the cauldron.

Despite their incredible careers, tennis greats like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Steffi Graf never got the opportunity to light the iconic Olympic cauldron. Andy Murray could have had the chance to do it during the London Olympics in 2012, however, the cauldron in London was lit by seven teenagers, nominated by veteran British Olympians.

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Naomi Osaka failed to impress at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021

Naomi Osaka's only Olympic appearance so far came at her home tournament in Tokyo 2021. The Japanese star was the player to watch out for during the tournament as she was fresh off winning the Australian Open in 2021 and a total of four Grand Slam titles in the last three years. However, Osaka failed to convert her impressive performances at the Grand Slam stage to a medal win at the Olympics.

Osaka lost to Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 to be knocked out in the third round of the Olympics. After the defeat, the Japanese admitted that she felt the pressure of the occasion and could not deal with it as well as she would have hoped for. She said (via CBS):

"I'm disappointed in every loss, but I feel like this one s--ks more than the others. I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure for this. I think it's maybe because I haven't played in the Olympics before and for the first year (it) was a bit much," Naomi Osaka said after the match.

Osaka has won two and lost one match during her Olympic career so far. The Japanese star will look to improve on her record when she takes the court at the Paris Olympics in 2024.