Naomi Osaka's sister who never enjoyed playing and turned to a career in fashion designing | Tennis siblings you never knew

Naomi Osaka's older sister Mari also played tennis but never made it big as a pro. She eventually retired from the sport in 2021 and has since taken to fashion.

Mari Osaka appeared on the WTA Tour for the first time in 2014 when she competed in the doubles tournament at the Bank of the West Classic. Her first singles competition was the Miami Open in 2019, where she lost to Whitney Osuigwe in the opening round.

Mari Osaka retired from tennis in 2021, stating that she did not enjoy her time in the sport.

"I am retired from playing tennis. It was a journey which I didn't enjoy ultimately but I'm grateful for all the memories and support I've gained and received over the years from the sport," the Japanese wrote on Instagram, as quoted by People.

While Naomi Osaka became a World No. 1 and won four Grand Slams, among other titles, her sister had a very modest career, with her best singles ranking being 280th.

Ever since her retirement, Mari Osaka has been involved with fashion, notably designing the outfit her sister donned at the 2021 Met Gala. Back in 2021, Naomi Osaka spoke about how her sister shaped her competitive nature.

“My sister’s a driving force for me. When I was little, Mari would beat me every day, and I feel like that shaped my competitiveness a lot. It just made me really want to win all my matches," the then-23-year-old told Nike.

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Naomi Osaka's sister Mari accused their father of harassment and abuse

Naomi Osaka at the GQ Men of the Year party (Image Source: Getty)

Earlier this year, Naomi Osaka's sister Mari accused their father Leonard of abusing her since she was young while also stating that he continued to harass her mother.

The 28-year-old also threatened to call the police the next time she saw her father's face.

"I want you to know how disappointed and disgusted I am in you, as a father and human being in general. You have failed in every way imaginable. You have abused me since I was young and continue to harass my mother. You continue to emotionally abuse her and trespass into our home when you have your own," Mari wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post.

"I'm making this public knowledge because you are a coward who hides behind his physical ability to beat me down and our refusal to call to cops on you. This is it, I'm really done with you and the next time I see your face I am calling the police. Consider this a threat," she added.

Naomi Osaka returned to action this year after missing the 2023 season due to her pregnancy. The 27-year-old produced some promising performances during the 2024 season, winning 21 out of 38 matches. Osaka most notably reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.

The Japanese's performances in 2024 saw her rise to 58th in the WTA rankings during the year. She is next scheduled to start her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland.