Field Level Media
11 May 2022, 22:55 GMT+10
Former World No. 1 tennis player Naomi Osaka has split with her agency, IMG, and will start her own, Sportico reported Wednesday.
The agency will be called Evolve.
Joining Osaka at Evolve is Stuart Duguid, who was a senior vice president at IMG. Sportico said both Duguid and Osaka will hold equity stakes in Evolve with no other outside investors as of the launch.
"I've spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn't what was expected or traditional," Osaka, 24, said, per Sportico. "Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way."
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, ranked No. 12 on Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes in 2021 with $60 million in earnings. All but $5 million came off the court.
Forbes said she is the highest-paid female athlete ever, and Sportico reported she will be the first woman in sports "to take full control of her business endeavors."
Duguid told Sportico that Evolve won't be looking to add a trove of athletes. The focus will remain on Osaka and "building Naomi's business from $50 million a year to $150 million a year," he said.
Osaka took much of 2021 off to focus on her mental health and has slipped to No. 38 in the rankings because of her lack of tournament appearances.
Her best finish of the season came earlier this month at the Miami Open, where she was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek of Poland.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More Information(Photo credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images) The Detroit Pistons saw their longest winning streak in 17 years end on Friday night. They...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) The St. Louis Blues are finally seeing a payoff for their progress made since Jim Montgomery...
(Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images) Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 26 in the second half, as the visiting...
(250301) -- ACAPULCO, March 1, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Nakashima Brandon of the United States hits a return during the singles semifinal match...
(Photo credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images) The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets meet Saturday bearing the load of disappointing...
New Delhi [India], March 1 (ANI): Elevating the spirit of sports in the national capital, Indian sport shooter Deepak Kumar and TV...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Dublin has unveiled a new 5.5 million euro cycle track along the south quays, enhancing safety and accessibility for...
DUBAI, UAE - Fuelre4m has announced a new partnership with one of the UAE's largest yacht operators aimed at improving fuel efficiency...
CAIRO — Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy...
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- A selection of the best press photos from Xinhua. A drone photo taken on Feb. 27, 2025 shows the construction...
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- In a significant move to open its telecommunication sector further, China has approved 13 foreign-invested...
(Photo credit: Jeff Romance / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Jake Knapp followed his opening-round 59 with a far more modest,...