‘Naomi Osaka’ on Netflix Is a Humanizing Look At a Superhero

It’s uncommon to look at a documentary about an athlete whereas they’re at present on the high of their sport, however Naomi Osaka might be simply that. Effectively, maybe this explicit athlete hasn’t fairly reached the highest of her sport simply but, as she continues to ascend in each method, on and off the tennis courts.

The brand new Netflix collection, comprised of three, simply bingeable 40-minute episodes, follows the tennis phenom all through 2019 and 2020 as her impression inside the sport is simply as spectacular as her impression on the world. Directed by Garrett Bradley and produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Uninterrupted, that is the form of collection that can recruit new tennis followers. I, for one, knew of Naomi however don’t observe the game carefully. Earlier than I’d even completed watching, I used to be already following her on Instagram. So whether or not you’re obsessive about the game or simply vaguely acquainted, Naomi Osaka will get you excited for the following time we’re capable of watch this girl in motion.

It’s additionally a reminder of the facility that younger folks have to alter the world. Being in your early 20s isn’t just about making TikToks — for Naomi, it’s about bringing consciousness to vital causes, taking good care of her bodily and psychological well being, and separating her value as a human being from the job at which she’s exceptionally gifted and well-known for doing. The truth is, Osaka’s actual impression on the world in all probability received’t be felt for years to return, however this documentary is definitely an excellent place to begin to understanding her.

If her latest headline-making choice to give attention to her psychological well being left you scratching your personal head, check out this collection. And it’s not the one facet you’ll get readability on: these Black Lives Matter masks she wore final 12 months on the US Open; her background, her tradition, and her household; and her perspective on her job and the way that components into the world round her — it’s all mentioned right here.

As she’s talking, to her household at residence or to reporters at a press convention, I observed she inserts loads of “ums” and “likes” into her speech, the way in which most individuals her age do. Nevertheless, that’s contrasted along with her distinctive expertise on the tennis courts, and solely emphasizes the reminder to all watching that even superheroes are regular folks. Additionally: you’ll want to have tissues close by for when her touching friendship with Kobe Bryant comes up.

If something, this collection will hopefully remind viewers to suppose earlier than they tweet, particularly with regards to criticizing athletes, however double particularly forward of the Olympics. Even after watching this extremely intimate documentary, the media consideration and scrutiny of those athletes is unfathomable. The collection does an excellent job displaying how Osaka copes with the immeasurable strain put upon her to carry out all world wide, aided by the help of her household and workforce round her, and the way she stays not solely extra enlightened than most of us, however a real class act in each method. We’re fortunate that we get to look at this girl on the court docket, however this fascinating, insightful, and galvanizing documentary additionally exhibits how fortunate we’re to get to know her on this method.

Stream Naomi Osaka on Netflix