Photo: Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
No one is having a bigger year thanNaomi Osaka. She has multiplefashion deals, aNetflix documentarycoming out, aBarbie made in her likeness— and we didn’t even get to her tennis career (she’ll becompeting for Team Japanat the Tokyo Olympics). Now, she can add one more outstanding extracurricular to her résumé:Sports Illustrated Swimsuitissuecover star.
Bloom (below) makes history as the first transgender cover model, while Megan represents the first rapper to ever land the spot. As for Osaka, Day says, “We celebrate Naomi for her passion, strength and power geared toward consistently breaking barriers when it comes to equality, social justice and mental health.”
Together, Day says the stars “represent three of the most powerful voices of today.”
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Recently, the tennis champ made the decision towithdrawfrom the French Openin May andWimbledon in June, citing efforts to preserve her mental health. Osaka previously shared that she’s suffered from depression since 2018.
Penning apowerful essayforTimemagazine earlier this month, the tennis pro opened up about putting her self-care first, explaining that athletes deserve “the right to take a mental break from media scrutiny on a rare occasion without being subject to strict sanctions.”
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on Naomi Osaka’sSports IllustratedSwimsuit coverandthe2021Sports IllustratedSwimsuit issue.
“People might think I’m quiet, different … but I am proof that the definition is bigger than people think,” Osaka said in a voiceover.
“Iwant to inspire girls out therewatching right now — the ones that some people think are too different, too quiet, too something. And if we don’t fit that expectation of what people think we’re supposed to be, good,” Osaka adds. “That just means we’re the ones who get to change it.”
Frank Franklin II/AP/Shutterstock
Osaka is not only breaking barriers when it comes to tennis and championing athletes' mental health, but she’s been steadily rising in another passion of hers: fashion design. She has collaborated with brands including Nike, Adeam andFrankie’s Bikinis, designed limited-edition pieces for Strathberry and Comme des Garçons, and recently starred inLouis Vuitton,TAG HeuerandLevi’s campaigns.
“I’d like to start my own brand one day, probably together with my sister, but for now I’m loving collab’ing with some great designers and learning the craft and the business,” Osakatold PEOPLE earlier this year, referring to her older sister Mari Osaka, who is also a professional tennis player.
Whether through her designs, performance on the court — or major modeling gigs likeSI Swim! —Osaka always brings that fierce confidencethat’s bound to inspire others.
SI Swim’s 2021 issue (out July 22) features singers Tinashe and Anitta, as well as past cover models including 2020’s Olivia Culpo, Jasmine Sanders and Kate Bock, 2019’s Camille Kostek and 2018’sDanielle Herrington. Plus, see which ofthe Swim Search finalistsmade it in!
SI Swimsuithits newsstands July 22 and to see more, visitswimsuit.si.com.
source: people.com
