Reports that U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka has agreed to or signed a new endorsement deal with Adidas worth $8.5 million a year are untrue, The Japan Times has learned.
Osaka, a 20-year-old who was born in Japan and moved to the United States at the age of 3, is one of the hottest commodities in sports now after becoming the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title with a dominating victory over Serena Williams in the final in New York earlier this month.
Following her surprise triumph over the 23-time Grand Slam champion, The Times of London reported on Sept. 10 that Osaka "was set to sign a clothing deal that will be the biggest in women's tennis, worth an estimated £6.5 million a year." The story was picked up and widely distributed by other outlets.