Find out why Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Ash Barty are featuring on the World Surf League’s players

Find out why Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Ash Barty are featuring on the World Surf League’s players

Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty, Serena Williams

Current World No. 1 Ash Barty and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams recently appeared on the back of various surfers currently playing at the 2022 World Surf League. The three active Grand Slam champions along with Billie Jean King and Brazilian legend and 7-time Grand Slam champion Maria Bueno were spotted.

The initiative to use the name of the see tennis stars was adopted by the Surfers in recognition of their talents and for inspiring generations to pick up the racquet. With International Women’s Day approaching on 8th March, the WSL athletes decided to make these special jerseys wearing the name of women who have inspired them.

Naomi Osaka appears twice, Ash Barty thrice

Naomi Osaka's name appears on Kanoa Igarashi's shirt
Naomi Osaka’s name appears on Kanoa Igarashi’s shirt

Kanoa Igarashi and Samuel Pupo paid tribute to Osaka while Lakey Peterson had BJK’s name on the shirt. Molly Pickium, Isabella Nicholas and Bronte Macaulay donned Barty‘s name while Miguel Pupo chose Maria Bueno and Jake Marshall had Serena on his shirt.

FS Video

In what has been a touching gesture, it is a fitting tribute for the list of players who are featured on the list having been an inspiration for many others and once again have shown that any athlete can inspire others even if the two don’t share the same sport, yet again bringing the world together through sports.

The World Surf League is currently being held in Peniche, Portugal with the schedule for the event from 3rd March to 14th March followed by a trip to Down Under at Bells Beach Australia from April 10 to April 20.

Also Read: ‘You can do better,’ Serena Williams slams New York Times for a wrongly published photo, newspaper apologizes

YouTube video