Naomi Osaka set to land record adidas deal after US Open heroics

According to reports, the Japanese superstar-in-the-making is set to land the biggest contract adidas have ever paid a female athlete: $8.5 million (£6.5m) per year.

Osaka is already an adidas athlete but the sportswear company is poised to make her its highest-paid female star in history – along with a new deal acting as a spokeswoman for Nissan.

Osaka beat Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows last week amid controversial scenes, as the American was docked a point and then a game for repeated code violations.

The huge story has brought in elements of race, gender and sporting integrity – but overlooked has been Osaka’s contribution to the final as she outplayed a player looking to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles.