Japanese multinational company Panasonic has signed Naomi Osaka to a 2-year sponsorship contract. In the press release announcing the partnership, Panasonic noted that the company and Osaka share a number of important values. In particular, the company cited Osaka’s stand on social issues.

Panasonic statement read:

Ms. Osaka takes social issues seriously, looking beyond tennis to share her views on what a better society would look like in her own words. The founder of Panasonic, Konosuke Matsushita, held the notion that a stable state of happiness comes only when both mental stability and material prosperity are secured. Based on this idea, the company endeavors to create an ideal society where all of us can enjoy lives that are both mentally fulfilling and affluent in the material sense.

After the partnership was announced, Osaka said:

Tennis is what I do. It is not who I am

An outlet for my drive and energy
A platform to showcase my athletic ability.
I am blessed to experience the lifestyle the game allows.
But tennis does not define who I am as a person.
I am equally as passionate about being a catalyst for positive change in the world.
I cannot ignore others who are less fortunate, nor remain silent, as some might prefer, in the face on injusctice.

I play to elicit passion in those who love sports.
And I hope to inspire passion for a more perfect society in all I do

Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid tennis athlete. She is associated with more than a dozen brands. Osaka’s social activism has attracted several companies and has improved her brand image.

Panasonic was founded in 1918 as a light socket manufacturer. Today, the company makes a number of products and services – rechargeable batteries, automotive and avionic systems, industrial systems, home renovation, and construction.

In 2021, Zhang Zhizhen became the first Chinese man to qualify for Wimbledon. Zhizhen is trying to do for Chinese men’s tennis what Li Na did for the women. He created history by becoming the first Chinese man to be ranked in the top 100, and then the top 50.

Both his parents were athletes – his dad played soccer for Shanghai Shenhua and his mom Qin Wei is a former school. Though he was a good swimmer when he was young, he chose to focus on tennis because his swimming coach was strict.

 Zhang Zhizhen has been playing mostly in the Challenger and Futures circuit as his ranking is not high enough to get into ATP tournaments. He is represented by LJ Sports Group, which was founded by former world number 3 Ivan Ljubičić. His current sponsors are Nike, Head, and Hublot.

Zhang Zhizhen’s Sponsors

Nike

Zhizhen has an apparel and shoe sponsorship deal with Nike.

Head

Zhizhen has a racquet sponsorship contract with Head. 

Hublot

In 2024, he became the ambassador for the luxury watch brand Hublot