Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios have a strong bond, with Osaka referring to Kyrgios as a ‘brother from a different universe.’
The friendship between Osaka and Kyrgios has deepened over the years, with many commonalities between them both on and off the tennis court.
Sharing similar interests and being of similar age, the two players have a natural connection. Kyrgios has shown his faith in their friendship by investing in Osaka’s projects and joining her talent agency.
Kyrgios also hosts a podcast for Osaka’s production company, where they discussed various topics, including their close relationship.
“I’ve seen you on TV and around the scene and stuff… and I’ve always thought to myself, like, ‘That’s like my brother from a different universe,’ you know? Because there’s not a lot of melanated folks in tennis? So, I just kind of feel an alliance, sometimes?”
Kyrgios admires Osaka and her journey, especially their shared experiences with mental health challenges. Despite their similarities, Kyrgios noted that they handle stress differently.
“Yeah, definitely. Obviously I resonate with some of the things you’ve done in the sport. I feel like the difference between you and I is you’ve dealt with that whirlwind a little better than I did. I was, I guess, one of the first ‘NextGen’ player to come on the scene and have success against these big players.”
Their discussion on the Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast offered insights into their unique journeys and how they navigate challenges in the spotlight.
