Pop Culture

Naomi Osaka teams up for practice with LA Lakers' Rui Hachimura

By David Kane Aug 21, 2023
Pop Culture

Dev Patel to star in 'The Journeyman,' a crime thriller about tennis match fixing

By Baseline Staff Nov 02, 2024
Pop Culture

Coco Gauff gets "absolutely insane" mention on Tyler, The Creator's newest single

By Baseline Staff Oct 28, 2024
Pop Culture

Retired soccer star Diego Forlan, 45, set for ATP debut at Uruguay Challenger

By Baseline Staff Oct 22, 2024
Pop Culture

'Daily Show' host Michael Kosta to detail path from pro tennis to comedy in new memoir

By Baseline Staff Oct 21, 2024
Pop Culture

Serena the Swiftie! Williams attends Taylor Swift's Miami Eras Tour show

By Baseline Staff Oct 21, 2024
Pop Culture

Did Taylor Fritz just debut blonde hair at Kygo's show at the famed Hollywood Bowl?

By Baseline Staff Oct 18, 2024
Pop Culture

'Challengers' star Zendaya says players have thanked her for 'making tennis cool'

By Baseline Staff Oct 13, 2024
Pop Culture

Aryna Sabalenka talks “Tiger” theme song after winning third title in Wuhan

By David Kane Oct 13, 2024
Pop Culture

Coco Gauff takes 'winning' inspiration from WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson

By Baseline Staff Oct 09, 2024
Pop Culture

Naomi Osaka teams up for practice with LA Lakers' Rui Hachimura

The former world No. 1 recently gave birth to her first child and has been looking to make good on her promise to return to action next season with help from the NBA star.

ByDavid Kane

Published Aug 21, 2023

THE BREAK: Everything we know about Naomi Osaka’s daughter.

Advertising

Hoops, there it is!

Naomi Osaka is back on the practice court with an extra special guest this week, sharing footage to social media of LA Lakers star Rui Hachimura attempting to return the former No. 1’s still-formidable ground game.

Osaka has been off tour since late last year when she announced that she was expecting her first child, revealing the birth of a daughter named Shai in July.

Joining her for a light practice was Hachimura, a Power forward who, like Osaka, was born in Japan in the mid-90s. Drafted to play for the Washington Wizards in 2019, Hachimura joined the Lakers this season, making his debut against the San Antonio Spurs back in January.

But how does that hand-eye coordination translate to the tennis court? It looks like Osaka, who promised to return to the tour in time for the 2024 Australian Open, still has the upper hand even in a friendly rally.

“lil bro really thought he had it,” captioned the four-time Grand Slam champion with a series of comical emojis.

Might Osaka parlay this early success into a late-season return? Or will fans have to wait for the Australian summer to see her back in a tournament?