Naomi Osaka. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Naomi Osaka starting her own sports agency

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated May 11, 2022 4:01 PM ET

Tennis star Naomi Osaka is making headlines, this time for leaving her original management company to launch her own.

Sportico reported Wednesday that Osaka has officially left IMG to start Evolve Agency along with agent Stuart Duguid, who also departed from IMG. The move makes Osaka the first female athlete at her level to attempt to build her own agency.

Naomi Osaka is leaving IMG to launch her own sports agency — EVOLVE.

She's the first female athlete at her level to take control of her business endeavors and attempt to build an agency, per @kbadenhausen. pic.twitter.com/A18goBdk6C
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 11, 2022

"I strongly believe in the power athletes have to use our platforms to drive meaningful business," the four-time Grand Slam champion told Sportico. ""I've spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn't what was expected or traditional. 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's contract with IMG reportedly ended in 2021 and discussions about an extension have never panned out. The 24-year-old leaves IMG as the world's highest-paid female athlete with multiple endorsements.

Naomi Osaka is just 24 years old but is already the world's highest-paid female athlete.

Endorsements:
• Nike
• FTX
• Louis Vuitton
• Sweetgreen
• Hyperice
• Tag Heuer
• BodyArmor

And now she is leaving IMG to launch her own sports agency https://t.co/0M3cM02445
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 11, 2022