
Naomi Osaka plays pickleball in Japan
Another tennis star has revealed an interest in pickleball.
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka recently posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring footage of her trying America's fastest-growing sport for the first time.
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At a gym in Japan, Osaka learned basic rules about stepping into the kitchen and hitting the ball out of the air at the kitchen line, before playing a quick game of doubles.
After hitting her first ball into the net, the four-time Grand Slam champion delivers some beautiful ground strokes and masterfully returns a lob (though us pickleball players would’ve known that the ball was going out).
Osaka clearly has finesse with a paddle in hand. She gently hits the ball back and doesn't attempt crazy power shots. With great footwork and reaction time, she could really excel in pickleball like other tennis pros who’ve made the switch.
Compared to the wonderfully over-the-top fits she recently sported at the US Open, Osaka is in more casual wear with fit and flare leggings, a white cropped tee, and sneakers.
And at the end, she has a big smile on her face even after her opponent hit a shot right to her feet that she couldn’t counter.
It seems that the pickleball bug might have just caught another big name.
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