SHOCKED Naomi Osaka admitted she was amazed when she defeated Serena Williams

Naomi Osaka has always considered Serena Williams as her childhood hero. Naomi’s dad was also inspired by Serena’s father Richard in pointing his daughters Naomi and Mari to tennis. Needless to say, the Japanese sensation regarded Serena as her role model on and off the court.

Why Naomi Osaka was shocked for beating Serena Williams

During an interview with the Time, Naomi confessed that she was star-struck only for playing Serena, let alone beating her (Miami and US Open). Osaka commented:

“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.”

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka. The last time that they fought against each other, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019. Their most well-known match was the 2018 US Open final when Naomi defeated the American icon in straight sets.

You can watch the highlights in the following video.

Naomi, Serena and their activism

Serena Williams has always been a staunch supporter of the people of color. The American legend had to experience racism first hand also on tennis courts. Naomi is also extremely active in supporting the BLM (black lives matter) movement. The world no.3 went to Minneapolis to demonstrate against the killing of George Floyd and she “forced” the WTA and ATP tours to postpone the semifinals of the “Western & Southern Open.”

Naomi’s activism became iconic after the Japanese sensation started her 7 matches at the recent US Open taking the court wearing 7 different masks carrying the name of 7 different victims of racism.

Naomi was also ready to strongly supported Serena Williams when during a press conference a journalist asked the tricky question about her feeling for Serena not being as active as Osaka to defend the black community in recent months.

It seems more and more that Serena’s legacy is in good hands.

Naomi Osaka in 2020

Currently the world no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 12^th of September when she overcame Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6^th career title.

This season Naomi has a 16-3 win-loss record. The Japanese clinched 1 title at the U.S. Open. Osaka was the finalist in New York (Western & Sourthern Open)

Serena Williams in 2020

Currently ranked no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 10^th of September when she was defeated by Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal of the U.S. Open.

Currently, this year Serena Williams has a 16-5 win-loss record. The American has won 1 title in Auckland.