Tennis star Naomi Osaka revealed that she wears Kobe Bryant’s jersey after matches and practices to feel connected to his spirit. Bryant, a revered Hall of Famer and five-time NBA champion, passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020. His memory is celebrated with statues at the Crypto.com Arena, and his legacy remains impactful among athletes.
Osaka recently won her first-round match at the US Open, defeating Jeļena Ostapenko. She reminisced about Bryant attending one of her US Open matches in 2019 and becoming a mentor to her. Reflecting on his support, Osaka described him as a figure akin to the brother or uncle she never had and shared his advice on managing media pressure by focusing on her goals like a lion ignoring distractions.
Bryant’s influence continues to inspire, and Osaka’s tribute through her jersey symbolizes the deep impact he had on her life. Fans are hopeful that Osaka will advance further in the US Open as a tribute to Bryant’s memory.
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