— Osaka: I go toward what I believe in. Investing in women’s sports has always been a really big thing for me. Starting a production company — my dad’s always had cameras around, so storytelling was kind of natural. And knowing that no other female athlete has started a production company was shocking news. I just try to do things that people haven’t done before and learn along the way, even if I stumble — that’s always been my mantra.

— Bloomberg: Why pickleball and women’s (soccer)? Are they just good investments in the long term?

— Osaka: Watching how big female sports have become over the years, investing in the North Carolina Courage wasn’t that difficult a decision. I also just love watching soccer. Pickleball was the unknown for me. It’s been around, but it feels like it just blew up. Learning about it and seeing LeBron [James] invest in it is something that leaned me more toward thinking it was a good idea.

— Bloomberg: You’ve been described as an athlete-entrepreneur. Is that your goal for even after you retire?

— Osaka: I’ve always been a really curious person, and going through the doors that are opened by being a tennis player is something I’ve found fascinating. I know I won’t be able to play tennis for the next 30 years — an athlete’s lifespan isn’t that long. But I’ve met a lot of incredible people at the top of their businesses and learning from them is fascinating. I want to continue that.

— Bloomberg: You’re 26 now. Will you be playing into your 30s?

— Osaka: I see myself playing into my 30s. I want to take it for however long I can. I was able to play Serena [Williams] when I was coming up — that was priceless. Hopefully I’m able to play as long as I can so another kid coming up can play me.

— Bloomberg: Who do you look at in the world of sports for investing and business ideas?

— Osaka: I definitely looked up to Kobe [Bryant] a lot and LeBron, obviously. Serena started her own venture capitalist firm, which I thought was really cool. It’s funny bumping into people doing business. I know Patrick Mahomes is doing a lot and Tom Brady. There are quite a few people.

— Bloomberg: What advice would you give to up-and-coming tennis players or sportspeople when it comes to money and investments?

— Osaka: I’m not sure they’d want my advice. I’d say there’s no such thing as failure. Everything is a learning opportunity. The biggest thing is to feel strongly in what you’re doing, and you won’t feel as much regret later on.

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With assistance from Gaia Lamperti and Omar Tamo.

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