Naomi Osaka has been a huge inspiration for the tennis world and beyond after her recent run at the US Open, carrying a strong message in defense of the black community. Naomi has always stated that she has been always inspired by Serena and Venus Williams when growing up. It seems that she might have a new role model, according to Ostapenko.
About inspiring the new generation and Osaka
Ostapenko stunned the tennis community when back in 2017 she won the French Open coming from absolutely nowhere and playing amazing tennis. However, she also admitted that in a way it was easier to play as an outsider when she won her maiden slam and things became much more difficult when she had to fight expectations.
However, Ostapenko seems to be back to her best tennis this year at the Roland Garros where she has recently defeated the seed no.2 Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.
During the press conference that followed her 2nd round, she commented:
“It was tough to deal with all this pressure which was on me because obviously I was the first one from the year 1997 to win a Grand Slam but I felt the girls started to play better after that.
Especially Naomi [Osaka], she’s such a good player. I think maybe 2017 inspired them, and they saw that it’s possible. So the young generation is coming.
But also when I saw her winning, of course I also wanted to get back there on top and win another Grand Slam. So we kind of have all inspired each other which is also good.”
Ostapenko at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
At the moment ranked no.43, Ostapenko has a 8-6 win-loss record in 2020. Ostapenko is now playing at the French Open where she bested Madison Brengle 6-2 6-1 and Karolina Pliskova 6-4 6-2.
Jelena Ostapenko will come up against Badosa in the 3rd round. They have never competed against each other as of now in top competitions.
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Ranked world no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 12th of September when she defeated Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
Currently, this season the Japanese has a 16-3 win-loss record. The Japanese clinched 1 title at the U.S. Open. The Japanese got to the final in New York.
Jelena Ostapenko and Naomi Osaka played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Osaka. When they played, Naomi Osaka won 6-4 7-5 in the 1st round in Paris (French Open) in May 2016.
