"Just to feel that support was unreal": Naomi Osaka dons Kobe Bryant jersey to keep his 'spirit' with her

Japan’s tennis star Naomi Osaka has opened up about the reason for wearing the jersey of late NBA star Kobe Bryant. The Philadelphia-born is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of NBA where he lifted the title five times. He was also NBA Finals MVP on two occasions and registered more than 33,000 points in his illustrious career.

Bryant lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 along with his young daughter Gianna Bryant who was aged just 13 at the time of accident. Osaka, who is currently in New York to participate in the US Open 2024, booked her place in the second round after beating Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2. After the match, the 26-year-old appeared with a jersey of Bryant to have an interaction with the media. She was specifically asked the reason why she wears the jersey of the former NBA star. In response to that, the former world number stated that she does that to keep the ‘spirit’ of Bryant with him.

“I mean, I guess I kind of played on the same court today,” she said. “Louis Armstrong was the court he came and watched my match. I honestly remember being a little bit in disbelief that he was coming specifically to watch my match. Just to feel that support was unreal. I think for me I always wear Kobe jerseys after matches and practices because I feel a little bit, like, I can kind of keep his spirit with me.”

Osaka is now set to face Karolina Muchova in the second round of the mega-event. The 28-year-old booked her place in the round of 64 after beating America’s Katie Volynets in straight sets in the opening encounter with a score of 6-3, 7-5. It will be the third meeting between the two in professional tennis. In the previous two meetings, both Osaka and Muchova came out on top on one occasion.