While she prepared for the 2021 U.S. Open, Naomi Osaka has teamed up with renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to create a limited-edition Yonex racquet and matching bag. The special EZONE racquet features a unique design, showcasing Murakami’s signature cherry blossom motif. It is a mesmerizing blend of vibrant colors and intricate detail against a crisp white background. The racquet’s special design is further accentuated by Naomi’s name printed in bold black on the inner throat. Lastly, her name has kangaroo and bear silhouettes on each side.
Yonex’s Toru Hiraga expressed that working on this project was a fun challenge for the team, as they had never created something like this before. Naomi and Takashi’s vision has resulted in a stunningly beautiful design that is sure to attract attention on the court.
Yonex’s Toru Hiraga had this to say about their partnership:
We’ve never made something like this so it was a fun challenge for us to work on it. Naomi and Takashi created a beautiful design.
The Takashi Murakami x Naomi Osaka Yonex EZONE racquet and matching bag are not available to purchase. However, a few lucky tennis fans will be able to bid on them, with all proceeds going towards the Play Academy with Naomi Osaka (PANO) initiative. This program aims to support young female athletes by providing them with the necessary resources and training they need to reach their full potential.
It’s inspiring to see Naomi’s commitment to giving back to her community and empowering young women to pursue their dreams. Through her collaborative efforts with Takashi Murakami and Yonex, she has not only created a unique piece of art but also contributed towards a noble cause.
Scroll through Naomi Osaka’s Insta post below to see the Yonex EZONE racquet and matching bag.
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