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Naomi Osaka’s sister Mari hangs her tennis racquet

Mari Osaka, elder sister to Japanese star Naomi Osaka, retired from tennis citing in her own words, 'A Journey Which I Didn't Enjoy Ultimately'. (AFP)
Mari Osaka, elder sister to Japanese star Naomi Osaka, retired from tennis citing in her own words, 'A Journey Which I Didn't Enjoy Ultimately'. (AFP)
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11 Mar 2021 12:03:25 GMT9
11 Mar 2021 12:03:25 GMT9

Clareto Monsorate

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka recently made headlines on winning the Australian Open for the fourth major title of her fledgling career and was also being hailed as the next Serena Williams of the sport.

While Naomi seems to be ‘enjoying’ every bit of her success and the attention that comes with it, her older sibling Mari decided to end her tennis career citing in her own words, ‘A Journey Which I Didn’t Enjoy Ultimately’.

“I am retired from playing tennis,” the 24-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“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.

“I’m moving on now so you can look forward to new fun projects upcoming in the future,” said Mari, who played most of her career on the ITF circuit.

Mari reached her highest ranking of 280 in 2018, compared to her sister Naomi who is currently ranked World No.2.

Strange, as Naomi always rated Mari a better player.

“Up until I was 15 she was 6-0-ing me, ridiculous,” Naomi told The New York Times.

“In the win-loss record, she’s up by like a million or something.”

The Osaka sisters partnered each other in the doubles during the 2017 Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Naomi had said then that it was her dream to be able to play with her sister on the WTA tour.

“For me it would be a dream,” she said.

“Because I don’t really talk to that many people, and she’s the nicer one in this relationship. It would definitely mean a lot.”

Sadly, there won’t be any more matches together at least on the professional circuit.

Mari Osaka only played one match in 2021, losing to Sarah Hamner in the first round of qualifying for an ITF event in Georgia in January.

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