Sister Naomi saved my life: Mari Osaka

Mari Osaka and Naomi Osaka

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka's elder sister Mari has thanked the former World No.1 for helping her become successful in life.

In a recent Instagram post, Mari, 26, wrote: "Special post for my sister Naomi. Without her this would have been absolutely impossible. The support she's given me after I quit tennis, I was literally a struggling artist. She got me the jobs I needed to be able to stand by myself. Tennis had put me into debt with traveling and coach expenses, I was not successful enough to support myself or my dreams. She has literally saved my life in ways she doesn't know."

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Mari explained how it hurts when negative things are written about Naomi. "Every time the media paints her in an evil light, it's the furthest from the truth. I want to shout it to the world because it makes me so pissed off. You're the most giving person I know and honestly I really would like you to stop giving and take care of yourself more. I can take care of myself now, I hope you can see that. Thank you Naomi, I love you," she said.