Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are part of 2 different generations and both are hugely inspirational. The 23-slam champion has been inspiring tennis players are beyond with her amazing success, her way to behave and defend the rights of women and people of color.
About Serena Williams not being as vocal as Naomi
Naomi Osaka has been exemplary in defending the rights of people of color during the last few months especially after the killing of George Floyd. The Japanese sensation hit the headlines all over the world for refusing to play the semifinal of the Western & Southern Open in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake, forcing the ATP and WTA to stop the event for 1 day.
In addition, Naomi decided to take the court of the US Open with a different face mask every match carrying the name of a different victim of the racism in the US. Naomi prepared 7 masks hoping to reach the final in New York and after beating Jennifer Brady she will have the opportunity to show them all.
Many have noticed that Serena hasn’t been as vocal as Naomi and there was a stark contrast between the face masks worn by Osaka and the ones carried by Serena that were carrying her brand.
During the press conference that followed her successful semifinal against Jennifer Brady, Naomi was asked: “Are you a little bit surprised that Serena has not come out and made any statements or support of the [blank lives matter]movement?”
Naomi was prompt in defending Serena, replying:
“Honestly, she’s like a living icon. Like, I would not be here without her. So no. Anything she does I’m sure is really well thought out. She probably has a lot of conversations with a lot of people. Whenever she wants to talk, she’ll talk.”
Osaka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Now ranked no.9, the Japanese has a 15-3 win-loss record in 2020. Naomi is currently competing at the U.S. Open where she beat Misaki Doi 6-2 5-7 6-2, Camila Giorgi 6-1 6-2, Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-74 6-2, Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-4, Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-4 and Jennifer Brady 7-61 3-6 6-3.
Naomi Osaka will play Azarenka in the final. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka.
The Japanese reached the final in New York.
Osaka won 5 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Serena Williams in 2020
Ranked world no.8, Serena Williams played her last match on the 10th of September when she lost to Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal of the U.S. Open.
At present, this year the American has a 16-5 win-loss record. Serena conquered 1 title in Auckland.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka. The last time that they locked horns, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
Here the video highlights.
