Pop Culture

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

By David Kane Aug 21, 2023
Pop Culture

Maria Sharapova jokes she's 'coming out of retirement' for TopSpin 2K25

By Baseline Staff Apr 29, 2024
Pop Culture

NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald believes “tennis athletes are the best in the world”

By Baseline Staff Apr 28, 2024
Pop Culture

New movie Challengers asks: Where does tennis take us?

By Joel Drucker Apr 26, 2024
Pop Culture

Review: Plenty to be excited about in TopSpin 2K25, which successfully recreates the joy (and frustration) of tennis

By Stephanie Livaudais and Spencer Thordarson Apr 24, 2024
Pop Culture

Coco Gauff dishes on 'embracing adulthood' in TIME magazine's May cover story

By Baseline Staff Apr 24, 2024
Pop Culture

Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of Challengers

By Associated Press Apr 23, 2024
Pop Culture

How does Taylor feel about Taylor? Fritz speaks on his appreciation for Swift

By Baseline Staff Apr 23, 2024
Pop Culture

Novak Djokovic named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a fifth time

By Baseline Staff Apr 22, 2024
Pop Culture

Josh O’Connor channels Nick Kyrgios in ‘Challengers’ movie with co-star Zendaya

By David Kane Apr 22, 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?