Breaking: Naomi Osaka exits Evolve, signaling shift in athlete portrayal
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Naomi Osaka exits Evolve, signaling shift in athlete portrayal
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. Evergreen context: what osaka’s move signals for athlete representation
- 4. What readers are saying
- 5. Has Naomi Osaka officially announced a change in her agency representation for the 2026 season?
Naomi osaka is ending her three-year collaboration with Evolve, the sports-management group she launched with Stuart Duguid in 2022 after her departure from IMG.
Since its formation, Evolve has added top names to its roster, including Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, and has staged high-profile exhibitions such as the Dubai “Battle of the Sexes.” The event has drawn scrutiny for its gender dynamics and for Kyrgios’ central role.
Osaka announced the move in a social-media post, saying that she will part ways with Evolve starting in the new year. She thanked the team for the “great run” and pledged to reveal her next destination when she has made a decision.
Stuart Duguid, who co-founded the agency, did not respond to requests for comment.Osaka and Duguid also created Hana Kuma,a production company behind a documentary about Osaka and Kyrgios’ podcast,”Good trouble.”
The split follows a triumphant, if intermittently challenging, year on tour for Osaka. A former world No. 1 who has won four Grand Slams, she took breaks to tend to mental-health concerns and to welcome her daughter, Shai, in 2023.Her earnings during the peak years helped her become the highest-paid female athlete in history at times, with prize money and endorsements surpassing landmark figures in 2019 and 2020.
In 2025, Osaka returned to form on hard courts, guided by Tomasz Wiktorowski, the former coach of Iga Świątek.She reached the Canadian Open final and the U.S. Open semifinal, climbing back to a post-childbirth peak ranking around No. 14 in September. She enters the Australian Open aiming for a third title.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| agency | Evolve, co-founded in 2022 by naomi Osaka and Stuart Duguid |
| Notable roster | Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios; Ons Jabeur; Iva Jovic; Eva Lys; Anna Kalinskaya |
| Osaka’s proclamation | Will part ways with Evolve starting in the new year |
| Related ventures | Hana kuma (documentary project); Kyrgios’ podcast “Good Trouble” |
| Recent performance | Canadian Open final; U.S. Open semifinal; ranking around No. 14 in September 2025; No. 16 in December 2025 |
Evergreen context: what osaka’s move signals for athlete representation
the split highlights a broader trend in sports management,where marquee athletes increasingly steer their own brands and select representation with flexible,results-focused structures. As players diversify into media, film, and content creation, agencies must adapt to evolving needs around image control, sponsorship alignment, and strategic scheduling.
For agencies, maintaining a roster that balances star power with emerging talents requires clear succession planning and adaptive models. for Osaka, the decision opens space to pursue new partnerships that align with personal goals, family priorities, and long-term brand strategy.
What readers are saying
Are you curious how Osaka’s next move will reshape her on-court performance and off-court ventures? Do you think more athletes will follow her lead in managing their representation and media projects?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us what you expect from Osaka in the next chapter of her career.
Sources and further reading: Coverage of Osaka’s departure and Evolve’s roster changes, including statements from Osaka and details on related ventures, can be followed through major outlets reporting on the sport’s business side.
Has Naomi Osaka officially announced a change in her agency representation for the 2026 season?
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