Spectacular signing: Naomi Osaka to play at the bett1open

Number one in the tennis world - as the first Asian woman ever. Winner of four Grand Slam titles. As a player – and as a personality –  she has captured people's hearts and minds around the globe, is an inspiration and role model in equal measure: Naomi Osaka (24). She lit the Olympic fire at the 2021 Summer Olympics in her homeland Japan. After a self imposed break from tournaments, she is now eager to compete for victories and titles again.

And so she has decided to compete in the bett1open in Berlin, which is endowed with a total prize money of 768,680 US dollars, starting on June 11, 2022.

World-class lawn tennis will be on offer in abundance in the spectacular Steffi Graf Stadium, the heart of the equally impressive and cosy home of the LTTC "Rot-Weiß" Berlin. There Naomi Osaka will compete within a world-class field.

She was number one of WTAs world rankings in 2019. The right-hander is currently ranked 82nd only because she has largely foregone tournament participation in 2021. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the two-time winner of the Australian Open (2019, 2021) and US Open (2018, 2020) has the potential and desire to attack the top again. 

And that's exactly why she is going to go for it in Berlin, saying: "I'm really looking forward to competing on the amazing grass courts at the bett1open event in the unique city of Berlin."

Barbara Rittner, Tournament Director of the bett1open and also Head of Women`s Tennis at the German Tennis Federation (DTB), is thrilled that Naomi Osaka has confirmed her participation in the bett1open: “Naomi in particular chooses her tournament participation very carefully. Therefore, it is a great honor for Berlin and for all tennis fans in this country that she will compete at the bett1open. And it is a confirmation that the world's best female tennis pros are once again drawn to Berlin. Talks are currently underway with female players. We will have an outstanding field of participants. But it's just great to know that with Naomi Osaka, we have already an absolute top star playing in Berlin.“

Osakas appeal goes far beyond tennis. She is a personality of global importance. Despite her youth, she has become an iconic figure in the fight for equal rights and against racism.

Adam Szpyt is the founder and CEO of bett1, the title sponsor of the bett1open. He sees the successful Osaka signing as further confirmation of his company's commitment to tennis: "Naomi Osaka's expressing her wish to be with us in Berlin reinforces our belief in the quality of the tournament and proves the importance of the bett1open in the tournament calendar of the world's best female players." 

Wimbledon starts one week after the bett1open final. This makes the top tournament in the German capital additionally attractive as a spot for preparation for the world famous Championships in London.