Tennis great Naomi Osaka to publish children’s picture book ‘The Way Champs Play’

The story is based on Osaka’s organization Play Academy, which provides grants and training for community sports organizations.

SHARE Tennis great Naomi Osaka to publish children’s picture book ‘The Way Champs Play’
Naomi Osaka plays in the Singles first round match against Daria Saville of Australia last month at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. She will publish her first book in December.

Naomi Osaka plays in the Singles first round match against Daria Saville of Australia last month at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. Osaka will publish her first book in December.

Getty

NEW YORK — Naomi Osaka has some life lessons she’d like to share.

The tennis superstar has a deal with HarperCollins Publishers for a children’s picture book, “The Way Champs Play,” scheduled to come out Dec. 6. Illustrated by Kamala Nair, the book was arranged through Osaka’s new media company, Hana Kuma. The story is based on Osaka’s organization Play Academy, which provides grants and training for community sports organizations.

“The Way Champs Play” is Osaka’s first book.

“The leadership, confidence, teamwork, and resilience I’ve learned on the court have been so valuable to me and that’s why I am so excited about my new book, ‘The Way Champs Play,’” Osaka, 24, said in a statement released Tuesday.

“I’ve learned my greatest lessons on the court, and that’s why I started Play Academy, to ensure girls can stay in organized sports,” the four-time Grand Slam singles champion added. “It’s proven to give them the skills they need to succeed not just in sports but in the classroom, in the boardroom, and within their communities.”

The Latest
Suspect Romeo Nance’s son witnessed the shooting of at least five relatives, according to Joliet police reports obtained through a public records request. The reports also indicate the child’s mother was more deeply involved in the case than first thought.
Counsell is measured and stoic, more so than Joe Maddon or David Ross. After Justin Steele’s Opening Day injury, Counsell will put his head down, pace and figure it out.
Steele held the Rangers to one run through 4 2/3 innings, but the Cubs lost in 10 innings.
The Cubs opened the season against the reigning World Series champions in Texas.