Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur will face each other for the first time in an official match in the 3rd round of the Australian Open. Ons and Naomi share a rather good relationship that started since they met in the WTA Rising Stars competition held in Singapore back in 2015.
Ons remembers that Naomi was incredibly shy and she wanted to cheer her up with all sorts of jokes. The Japanese sensation very much appreciated that.
During a recent interview, Jabeur revealed that she indeed tried to engage with Naomi as much as she could.
“I remember she was so shy, she didn’t even talk. I always tried to throw jokes all the time and she was laughing. She is such a nice person and she hasn’t changed a bit, which I admire. She’s someone who has won Grand Slams and she’s in the top players and she always says hi,” said Ons.
Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur have never played each other so far on the main tour.
Osaka at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently the world no.3, Naomi achieved a composed 5-0 match record in 2021. The Japanese is now having a run at the Australian Open where she beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1 6-2 and Caroline Garcia 6-2 6-3.
Naomi Osaka will play Jabeur in the 3rd round. In the past, they have never played each other till now in top tournaments.
Naomi won 6 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Jabeur at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked no.30 (career-high), the Tunisian has managed to achieve a compiled 5-2 match record in 2021. Ons is now playing at the Australian Open where she managed to beat Andrea Petkovic 6-3 3-6 6-4 and Anna Schmiedlova 6-3 6-2.
Ons Jabeur will square off with Osaka in the 3rd round. They have never played each other as of now in top competitions.