"The harder something is, the more I want to do it" - Naomi Osaka on her motivation for launching her own media company alongside Lebron James

Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka is launching her own media company in partnership with NBA legend Lebron James.

The Japanese player and her longtime agent-cum-business partner Stuart Duguid are behind the production banner called Hana Kuma. The name has Japanese origins, with 'hana' meaning flower and 'kuma' meaning bear.

During a recent panel conversation, she revealed why she decided to launch her own media company. She describes herself as someone who likes challenges and wants to do something that has never been done before.

"For me, I've wanted to test new waters. I'm a very challenging person, like the harder something seems, the more I want to attempt to do it," said Osaka.

The four-time Grand Slam champion pointed out that the lack of female athletes in the field pushed her to go all the way and pave the way for others.

"Just seeing that there aren't many female athletes to do such a thing. Say someone's already paved that way then I'm kind of like okay someone's already there," she stated. "So, I really love challenges like that and also I feel like I have a unique perspective. I was lucky I grew up with two cultures and I just thing being able to tell a story of provide insight into things people haven't really thought before is really interesting."