With Wimbledon underway, Naomi Osaka is back on the grass courts ranked among the top 15 women’s singles players, this time with a big makeover off the court as well. Four years after co-founding sports management agency Evolve, Osaka rejoined IMG, returning to a more traditional representation structure as the 28-year-old athlete refocused on competing. Osaka continues to lead her media company Hana Kuma and skincare brand KINLÒ. While she remains deeply involved in her business ventures, Osaka now relies on a tight circle of partners to manage the growing portfolio alongside her tennis career.
Osaka’s path up to this point has been nothing but a linear one. Having chosen to compete on the ITF women’s circuit at just 14 years old, she rose to become the first Asian player to reach the world No. 1 singles ranking by 2019. A series of breaks for mental health, motherhood and injury recovery followed after her Grand Slam run from 2018 to 2021, and her ranking dropped to No. 59 by late 2024. However, a recent comeback has propelled her back to the top level, where she has risen further. From 40 centers. locations and put them within reach of top players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
Like many elite athletes who balance competition with business ambitions, Osaka has built a team to support her off-court ventures. Here are the main figures behind that network.
Stuart Duguid, Osaka’s agent and business partner
Stuart Duguid, 43, represented Osaka for nearly a decade after they met at IMG in 2016, where he served as senior vice president. In 2022, they left the agency together to launch Evolve, a sports management company whose early clients included Nick Kyrgios and which later expanded to include stars such as Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur.
After Osaka’s contract with Duguid expired, she returned to IMG, while Duguid remained at Evolve as managing partner.
“You can tell those who have some magic and can impact lives beyond just those around us when we come to the Grand Slam,” Duguid said in a 2024 interview, describing his focus on athletes as “The ability to transcend tennis.“
Duguid and Osaka also co-founded Hana Kuma in 2022 in partnership with LeBron James’ label SpringHill. The media company went independent in 2023 after raising $5 million and has since backed projects such as the Emmy-nominated film. Mink! and Good problem with Nick Kyrgiosalong with An initiative to build a brand for female golfers. The name, which translates to “bear flower” in Japanese, reflects a balance between softness and strength.
Duguid played a central role in Osaka’s rise as a global business figure, helping her become the world’s highest-paid female athlete from 2020 to 2022 – a title later surpassed by Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Hill Harper and Ari Bloom, Kenley Team in Osaka
Hale Harper and Ari Bloom co-founded A-Frame Brands in 2019, a beauty incubator focused on underserved markets. Through A-Frame, they partnered with Osaka to launch KINLÒ, a skincare and suncare brand designed for skin of color. The company has also developed other lines, including baby care brand Gabrielle Union and DWYANE WADE with pride.
As CEO of KINLÒ, Osaka shapes the brand’s vision and overall identity, while Harper and Bloom oversee operations, manufacturing and retail distribution. Their products are now sold by major retailers, including Target and Walmart.
“Our business is built on diversity at its foundation.” Bloom said in a 2023 interview, noting that 97 percent of the company’s team comes from historically underrepresented communities and that half of the board members are women.
KINLÒ raised a seed round in 2022 with backing from investors including Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and tennis legend Billie Jean King, as well as companies like Forerunner. Kaepernick also serves on the company’s board of directors. The broader leadership team includes President Mia Mitchem and Director of Dermatology, Dr. Nana Boakye.
Alexander Cohen, financial advisor for Osaka Investments
Since 2022, Osaka has worked with Alexander Cohen, founder of Heights Advisory, to guide her expanding investment portfolio.
The two co-invested in the Miami Pickleball Club, part of Major League Pickleball, in 2023. Cohen has also advised Osaka on deals involving startups such as health ramen brand Immi and hair salon chain Pressed Roots.
Beyond individual investments, Cohen has supported Osaka in building her broader business ecosystem, including the launch of Evolve and KINLÒ, while continuing to manage properties such as her stake in the National Women’s Soccer League’s North Carolina Courage.
