Naomi Osaka named world's most marketable athlete for 2019

Naomi Osaka has been crowned the world's most marketable athlete of the year by sports business media company SportsPro.

The two-time Grand Slam champion is the first Asian athlete to claim the top spot, beating out the likes of Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Zion Williamson, and United States women's national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe.

SportsPro compiled its rankings based on each athlete's marketing potential over the next three years, taking into account their age, home market, crossover appeal, charisma, and willingness to be marketed.

Osaka recently regained the No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings and will now look to defend her US Open title when the tournament gets underway next week.