Naomi Osaka has always stated that her tennis life and beyond was always influenced heavily by both Venus and Serena Williams. Naomi’s father, Leonard, was inspired by Serena’s dad Richard to coach his daughters and the result was that at just 22 years of age, Naomi has already clinched 3 slams.
Naomi also had the luxury of beating Serena the first 2 times that she challenged the American in Miami and the famous 2018 US Open final. During a recent interview, Naomi was asked why Serena wasn’t as vocal as Osaka in defending the right of the black community during the recent unrest, and the Japanese said that Serena had done so much for the people of color that she didn’t need to be as vocal as her.
Serena is the GOAT
The American legend has been chasing for long Margaret Court’s record of 24 slams. However, for many, Serena doesn’t need to beat the record of the Australian player to confirm her “GOAT status.”
This is definitely what Naomi thinks. After the ESPN asked to name a GOAT, Naomi posted a rather straightforward GIF of Serena… being the queen.
Did somebody say Greatest of all time? https://t.co/Y4SqXYYeOt pic.twitter.com/3uEuBCl2y7
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 7, 2020
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Currently ranked no.3, the Japanese 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.
At present, this year Osaka has a 16-3 win-loss record. Naomi has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. Osaka was the runner-up in New York.
Serena Williams in 2020
Currently the world no.9, Serena was supposed to play on the 30th of September. However, she conceded a walk over to Tsvetana Pironkova in the 2nd round of the French Open.
Currently, this year the American has a 17-5 win-loss record. Serena Williams has won 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 squared off, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
