Naomi Osaka at the age of just 23 years old, a Japanese tennis player, has inspired many people around the world.
Despite withdrawing from this season’s French Open citing mental health reasons, the four-time Grand Slam winner has been a role model for future generations, including when he has been vocal in voicing issues.
Ahead of the Olympics in Tokyo this season, Mattel created a Barbie doll that is a reflection of the Japanese national tennis player for the second time.
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The 23-year-old started the 2021 season by winning the Australian Open title. But his retirement following his first-round victory at the French Open provoked mixed reactions from fans around the world.
While receiving many words of support from fans, the Japanese national presented herself in public for the first time since the French Open at ESPY last weekend to receive the best female athlete award.
In the 2019 season, Mattel created a Japanese tennis Barbie doll to celebrate Barbie’s 60th birthday. But this time, the reason for the release of her self-reflection doll was different. As part of the role model series, Mattel created the second Barbie doll series from the Japanese tennis player.
In the release of the Barbie doll, via Twitter Osaka wrote, “I first teamed up with Barbie in the 2019 season and this time we introduced the role model Barbie Naomi Osaka. I hope every child is reminded that they can be and be anything.”
The Barbie doll’s clothes are the same clothes that Osaka wore during the 2020 Australian Open. The box also includes a photo of the tennis player with a motivational quote from Osaka which reads, “Don’t compare yourself to anyone, because the path you walk is yours and only yours.”
With Mattel releasing its second Japanese tennis player Barbie doll, Mattel senior vice president Lisa McKnight acknowledged how honored it was for Mattel to be able to create the tennis player’s doll.
“We are very honored to include Naomi Osaka as part of our Barbie model series. She has paved the way for future generations of girls to dream bigger and through her unwavering courage and honesty, she has shown the world the importance of making yourself a true champion.”
“Naomi Osaka continues to break boundaries on and off the pitch and is an influential role model to all fans.”
Meanwhile, the 2021 Australian Open champion will return to action at the Tokyo Olympics and although he is favorite to win an Olympic gold medal, he will face a challenging competition.
