Naomi Osaka‘s return to pro tennis after a break to give birth to her child will be captured in The Second Set, a documentary picked up by Tubi.
The film is set to premiere on Fox Corp.’s ad-supported streamer in August. “The Second Set will deliver an intimate look into the life of Osaka as she navigates balancing her career with first-time motherhood and is described as a love letter to her daughter, Shai,” the doc’s producers said in a synopsis.
Tennis superstar Osaka added in her own statement: “This film is special to me because I’ve learned so much about life through Shai and she brings me so much joy. I’ll always look fondly on this period of our lives.”
Osaka’s defeat of Serena Williams to win the U.S. Open women’s title in 2018 vaulted her to pro tennis fame. But that celebrity status also left Osaka having to balance being the best tennis player in the world with maintaining her mental health — including bouts of anxiety over mandatory tournament press conferences — and on-court confidence.
The Second Set is produced by Nike, with whom the tennis star has a running shoes and clothing line. Also producing is Hana Kuma, Osaka’s media and production company founded in 2022 along with business partner Stuart Duguid, and in partnership with The SpringHill Company.
SpringHill is also the media venture from NBA star LeBron James and Maverick Carter that includes Fulwell Entertainment and Uninterrupted. The Second Set is the first title expected from a multiyear distribution partnership between Tubi and Fulwell Entertainment’s Uninterrupted for athlete-focused sports and culture stories.
James, Carter and Jamal Henderson from Uninterrupted are executive producing The Second Set. The distribution deal was brokered by Uninterrupted’s Albert MJ Choi and Tubi’s Ian Nelson.
