Naomi Osaka is about to play Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open after winning an inspiring semifinal against the great Serena Williams. Naomi was truly impressive during her match against the American legend as she managed to find her way rather brilliantly after a slow start.
The world no.3 has been partnering with coach Wim Fissette for slightly more than 1 year and they are achieving excellent results together. Naomi won the US Open a week after reaching the final at the Western & Southern Open. In Melbourne, she is the hot favorite to conquer her 4th slam.
Coach Fissette about Naomi’s father
During an interesting interview with Tennis magazine Netherland, Wim Fissette was asked to elaborate about the role that Naomi’s father Leonard Francois had in her tennis development. It is well-known that her dad has been her coach since her young age, also inspired by Serena and Venus Williams’ father Richard. However, Naomi decided to work with an external coach instead of keep on partnering with her father anymore.
“He has been involved from a very young age. First and foremost, he tries to always give her confidence and peace. That primal confidence we talked about, that comes from him,” said Fissette.
Furthermore, he is the one who implemented that focus on steadiness in her tennis. That’s very important, but someone with Naomi’s weapons is allowed to make an error here and there. She should never step on the court thinking she has to make fewer unforced errors than her opponent.
That’s a good plan B to have or a good way to start off a match, but once she feels comfortable, she has to be very aggressive within the first three shots. She did eventually choose to work with a coach and not her father. I do try to keep his philosophy in mind, and I’m very aware of his importance.
I regularly talk to him about where I think we should be heading and we’re on the same page. I also like to have a second opinion. Her father knows exactly what the right approach is with Naomi in some moments and what’s important.”
The final vs. Jennifer Brady
Regarding her upcoming final, Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady clashed against each other only twice. Their actual record is 2-0 for Osaka. Previously, the last time they squared off, Naomi Osaka won 7-6(1) 3-6 6-3 in the semifinal in New York (U.S. Open) in September 2020.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Osaka at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently ranked no.3, the Japanese achieved an overall 9-0 win-loss record in 2021. Osaka is competing at the Australian Open where she conquered Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1 6-2, Caroline Garcia 6-2 6-3, Ons Jabeur 6-3 6-2, Garbine Muguruza 4-6 6-4 7-5, Su-Wei Hsieh 6-2 6-2 and Serena Williams 6-3 6-4.
Naomi won 6 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Brady at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Now the world no.24 (career-high), Brady owns an overall 9-2 win-loss record in 2021. Jennifer is now playing at the Australian Open where she defeated Aliona Bolsova 6-1 6-3, Madison Brengle 6-1 6-2, Kaja Juvan 6-1 6-3, Donna Vekic 6-1 7-5, Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-2 6-1 and Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4.
