Photo: Aflo/Shutterstock
Mari Osaka, the older sister of tennis championNaomi Osaka, has announced that she’s walking away from the sport.
On Tuesday, Mari, 24, shared onInstagramthat she has retired from tennis, noting that her career was a “journey which [she] didn’t enjoy.”
“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,” Mari wrote alongside a photo of an open ocean.
“I’m moving on now so you can look forward to new fun projects upcoming in the future,” she added.
Naomi’s boyfriendCordaereplied to the post, writing “Prada u 📶📶📶📶”
According toSports Illustrated, Mari is currently ranked No. 335 in the world among women’s players in the sport. In the spring of 2018, she reached her highest ranking at No. 280.
Mari played the majority of her career on the lower-tier ITF circuit. She only played one match in January 2021, losing in the first round of qualifiers for an ITF event.
The first time she and Naomi were both in the main draw at a WTA-level event was in March 2019, when the two competed in the Miami Open.
Naomi, 23, has previously discussed her sister’s tennis skills, sharing that Mari always beat her in matches when they were younger.
“Up until I was 15 she was 6-0-ing me, ridiculous,” Naomi toldThe New York Timesin a March 2019 interview.
The sisters still have a tight-knit relationship, so much so that Naomiteased Mari on national televisionduring the Australian Open last month.
Aftersharing a hug with Williams, Naomi walked over to the camera to write a note on the lens for the viewers at home. The four-time Grand Slam champion used the opportunity to call out her older sister for her “weird” text messages.
“Mari, stop sending weird images in the groupchat!” the athlete wrote.
source: people.com
