Osaka cuts ties with agency she co-founded

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FILE PHOTO: Tennis - China Open - The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 27, 2025 Japans Naomi Osaka reacts during her round of 64 match against Belarus Aliaksandra Sasnovich REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

Dec 19 - Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is leaving Evolve, the sports agency she helped create in 2022, the former world number one announced on Friday while leaving her next destination unclear.

Osaka broke away from IMG to launch her own sports agency with longtime agent Stuart Duguid three years ago. The agency quickly made waves, attracting marquee clients including Nick Kyrgios and womens world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Kyrgios and Sabalenka are set to face each other later this month in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match that critics believe risks undermining the reputation of womens tennis.

Hi everyone, writing this to say starting in the new year Ill be parting ways with Evolve, Osaka wrote on Instagram.

Its been a great run and Im so grateful for all the memories shared.

The 28-year-old, who has won the Australian Open and U.S. Open twice each, struck an upbeat tone about her departure while maintaining the suspense around her future plans.

When I make my decision on where Ill go next, youll hear it from me, she added. Thank you for supporting me always and Im so excited for the year ahead!

Osaka returned to the tennis circuit in 2024 after a maternity break but