Mari Osaka is a former professional tennis player, artist and fashion illustrator whose career has taken a very different path from that of her younger sister, Naomi Osaka.
Naomi became one of the biggest names in women’s tennis with multiple Grand Slam titles. Meanwhile, Mari chose to step away from professional competition before establishing herself in illustration, creative direction and fashion design.
Her story is one of reinvention rather than sporting success alone. From growing up in a family that transformed modern tennis to collaborating with Naomi on major creative projects, Mari has built a career that extends well beyond the court.
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Mari Osaka Biography
She was born on April 3, 1996, in Osaka, Japan, and is the older sister of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. While Naomi became one of the biggest names in world tennis, Mari Osaka followed a different path.
She competed professionally before retiring from the sport at 24 and building a career as an artist, illustrator and creative director.
Her story is closely tied to one of the most remarkable family journeys in modern tennis. Mari and Naomi were raised by their Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka, and their Haitian father, Leonard Francois.
The sisters spent their early childhood in Japan before the family moved to the United States, initially settling on Long Island, New York, where Leonard
Francois decided to teach both daughters tennis despite having no competitive playing experience himself.
His coaching philosophy was inspired by watching the success of Richard Williams, whose unconventional methods helped develop Venus Williams and Serena Williams into Grand Slam champions.
Francois believed that if Richard Williams could guide his daughters from public courts to the top of the sport without an elite coaching background, he could do the same for Mari and Naomi.
The family later relocated to Florida to provide greater opportunities for year-round training and stronger competition.
The Osaka sisters trained together throughout childhood, often travelling to tournaments with their father while their mother balanced work and family responsibilities.
Mari, being older, frequently competed first and naturally became someone Naomi looked up to during their early years.
Although Naomi eventually overtook her younger sister competitively, Mari has spoken about the pride she feels watching Naomi’s achievements.
At the same time, Naomi has repeatedly acknowledged the influence Mari has had on both her personal life and creative interests.
Career
Mari Osaka’s professional tennis career followed a different path from her younger sister’s, but it remains an important part of her story.
She developed through the American junior tennis system after her family relocated from Japan, competing in national junior events before transitioning to the professional circuit.
Like Naomi, Mari trained under the guidance of their father, Leonard Francois, who believed both daughters could succeed at the highest level despite having no traditional coaching background.
Mari spent much of her career competing on the International Tennis Federation Women’s World Tennis Tour, formerly known as the ITF Circuit.
The tour serves as the primary pathway for players seeking to earn ranking points and qualify for larger Women’s Tennis Association tournaments.
Mari steadily built experience against international competition throughout the 2010s. Her highest professional singles ranking was No. 289 in the world, achieved in 2018, while she also competed in doubles during her career.
One of her earliest appearances at the WTA level came at the 2014 Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, then known as the Bank of the West Classic, where she competed in the doubles draw after receiving a wildcard entry.
Five years later, she made her WTA singles main draw debut at the 2019 Miami Open after another wildcard invitation.
She was defeated in the opening round by Whitney Osuigwe, but the appearance marked one of the biggest tournaments of her professional career.
Retirement
Mari Osaka announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2021, ending a career that had spanned more than a decade.
Her decision surprised many fans because she was still in her mid-20s, an age when many players are entering the prime years of their careers.
She explained that her passion had gradually shifted away from professional competition. In a personal statement shared on social media, she wrote that she no longer found fulfilment in pursuing rankings and tournament results.
She wanted to focus on creative work that gave her a stronger sense of purpose and personal happiness. Her retirement also reflected a broader conversation taking place across professional sport about mental wellbeing.
The Osaka family became closely associated with those discussions after Naomi openly spoke about anxiety, depression and the pressures of elite competition.
Although Mari’s experience was different, she similarly described wanting to prioritise her wellbeing and pursue a career that aligned more closely with her interests.
Leaving tennis did not mean leaving sport entirely. Instead, it marked the beginning of a second career that would see Mari establish herself in illustration, design and fashion while continuing to collaborate with Naomi on several creative projects.
Her transition has often been viewed as an example of an athlete successfully redefining life after professional sport rather than remaining tied to competitive results alone.
Naomi Osaka’s Sister
Mari Osaka’s relationship with Naomi Osaka extends well beyond tennis. Growing up, the sisters trained side by side for years, sharing coaches, practice sessions and extensive travel across the United States junior tennis circuit.
As the older sibling, Mari introduced Naomi to many aspects of competitive tennis before Naomi developed into one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Their bond remained strong even after their professional careers began moving in different directions. Naomi has often credited Mari with inspiring her creatively.
Away from tennis, Mari developed a passion for illustration, fashion and design, interests that would eventually become her full-time profession.
That creative partnership became increasingly visible during Naomi’s rise on the global stage. Mari designed artwork for several of Naomi’s commercial projects, illustrated magazine features and collaborated on fashion concepts.
One of her highest-profile creative projects came when she helped develop Naomi’s look for the 2021 Met Gala, combining fashion design with Japanese cultural influences.
Mari has also produced illustrations for Naomi’s collaborations with brands and publications, demonstrating that although she stepped away from competitive tennis, she remained an important part of Naomi’s professional journey.
The sisters frequently appear together on social media, supporting one another’s careers while maintaining a close family relationship that has endured through Naomi’s Grand Slam success and Mari’s transition into the creative industry.
Mari has increasingly established herself as one of the creative forces working behind many of Naomi’s public projects.