Naomi Osaka to represent Japan at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Staff

5 years ago

Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts while competing against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during their wo ... — Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts while competing against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during their women’s final at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with her winner’s trophy after defeating Ashleigh Barty of Australia in the women’s final at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after defeating Ashleigh Barty of Australia in the women’s final at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

TOKYO —

Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she intends to represent Japan at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

The Olympic Channel says Osaka, who plays under a Japanese flag in WTA events and in the Fed Cup, has told national broadcaster NHK that she has started proceedings to choose Japanese citizenship.

Osaka holds dual nationality with Japan and the United States. She was born to a mother from Japan and a father from Haiti.

She turns 22 on Wednesday, the age at which Japanese law obliges dual-nationality citizens to choose one.