SINGAPORE – Naomi Osaka has been named 2016 WTA Newcomer of the Year.

The 19-year-old Japanese player has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the tour in 2016, rising to a career-high ranking of No.40 after finishing 2015 ranked No.203.

Osaka made an impact at Grand Slam level, reaching the third round at all three Slams she played – Australian Open, French Open and US Open.

In addition to her Grand Slam feats, she was a force on the tour as well and she became the first Japanese player since 1995 to reach the final at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. As a wildcard, she knocked out Misaki Doi and Dominika Cibulkova before losing to Caroline Wozniacki in the final. Additionally, she was a three-time quarterfinalist: Abierto Mexicano TELCEL, Brasil Tennis Cup and Tianjin Open.

.@Naomi_Osaka_ named #WTA Newcomer of the Year! pic.twitter.com/D38TOrccp8

— WTA (@WTA) 21 October 2016

Osaka won the prize with 42 votes ahead of Viktorija Golubic with six, and Jelena Ostapenko and Louisa Chirico with one apiece.

WTA Newcomer Of The Year Winners
2016: Naomi Osaka
2015: Daria Gavrilova
2014: Belinda Bencic
2013: Eugenie Bouchard
2012: Laura Robson
2011: Irina-Camelia Begu
2010: Petra Kvitova
2009: Melanie Oudin
2008: Caroline Wozniacki
2007: Agnes Szavay
2006: Agnieszka Radwanska
2005: Sania Mirza

Complete listing of the historical WTA Awards.