The World No.1 Naomi Osaka is gearing up for the US Open 2020 and is eyeing her second title at Flushing Meadows. Naomi became the first Japanese player to win a grand slam singles title after defeating Serena Williams in the US Open 2018 final.
In an interview with TIME, the host Mikey Williams, an American basketball player asked Naomi Osaka about how it felt beating her favorite tennis player Serena Williams.
“It feels really crazy because you grow up watching them. Just for them to be seeing you as an opponent is very surreal. I feel like I dreamed of the moment—and for it to happen in real life was definitely an out-of-body experience.” said Noami during the interaction.
The US Open 2018 final between them was fraught with drama as Serena Williams was given multiple code violations during the match and had a heated exchange with the chair umpire Carlos Ramos. Naomi Osaka went on to win the match 6-2, 6-4 and achieved her dream of playing a final against her role model.
“Whatever sport you play, you’re compared to the person that’s most similar to you—and for me, it was always Serena. I want to be a good enough player to stand on my own. I want to carve my own legacy.” said Naomi during the interview with Mikey Williams.
Subsequently, after the US Open 2018, Naomi went to win the Australian Open 2019 and achieved the World No.1 ranking for the first time in his career. Despite, most of the top players withdrawing from this year’s US Open, the Japanese player is itching to compete and believes there’s no change in preparation regardless of the strict protocols.
On the other hand, Serena Williams will be aiming to equal Margeret Court’s record of 24 grand slam titles and ending the losing streak in her past four grand slam final appearances.
Read More: “I Just Want to Play” – Naomi Osaka Eager to Make Tennis Return as US Open Approaches
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