Naomi was born in Japan and moved with her family to the US when she was 3 years old. Soon afterward, inspired by watching Serena Williams play in the 1999 French Open, her father started to teach her daughter to play tennis. Of course, it would be many years before Naomi would compete against one of her idols on the court.
At 16 years old (you know, the age when you were worried about passing your driving test and your high school chem midterm), Naomi began making a name for herself on the professional tennis circuit. In the years that followed, her tennis career has skyrocketed, landing her endorsement deals with big names like Nike and BareMinerals. The latter is a perfect fit for the self-professed beauty junkie, who says she loves to experiment with bold makeup and hairstyles off the court.
Here, the top-ranked tennis champ shares her secrets for acing every aspect of life.
Naomi's Makeup Routine
My everyday makeup includes eyebrows, eyeliner, and lip gloss. But when I want to wear foundation, I use the BareMinerals liquid one because it stays on all day, keeps up with my active lifestyle, and doesnt clog my pores.
Her idols
Growing up, I was a huge fan of Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Li Na, and Novak Djokovic. They all influenced me, but I got the most inspiration from Serena. Its still a bit surreal that I am now in the position to be a role model myself. I know its a huge responsibility, and I hope I am ready for it.
Her Game Plan At The 2019 US Open
This is my first time playing the US Open as a defending champion. Ill be doing everything I can to prepare to defend my title. Instead of thinking about what Im doing wrong, I think about what I need to do to win.
Naomi's Haircare Secret
I apply a bunch of Miss Jessies leave-in conditioner and keratin oil in my hair when its dampthen I just let it air-dry and wish for a good hair day!
Her Power Lip Look
I swipe on red lipstick when I want to create a bold look. As a female athlete, Im always sweating and working out. So when I get a chance to put on makeup, I try to take advantage of it. Its nice to feel feminine.
Her Pre-Match Routine
Before a match, my ritual is to put on water-resistant sunscreen, tie up my hair in a bun or ponytail, then listen to one song. If I win, I listen to that same song before every single match during that tournament.
Her Go-To Style
On the court, I dress quite conservatively. I am focused only on the match. But off it, I like to try new things and experiment with different styles of clothes. Right now Im a big fan of streetwear, like hoodie sweatshirts and sporty dresses.
Her Off-Court Moves
I dont get much time off, so when I do, I want to make it count. On a recent trip to Rome, I made a point of seeing the sights, like St. Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
This article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Women's Health.