Serena Williams has been the face of women’s tennis for so long, but it seems that now it’ Naomi Osaka to be the new boss. This is what tennis legend Justine Henin said after Naomi Osaka’s recent success at the Australian Open. The Japanese sensation stunned the tennis community after conquering her 4th slam, the second in Melbourne, playing great tennis and with a lot of confidence.
Naomi Osaka vs. Serena Williams
Naomi Osaka was extremely cool during the semifinal in Australia when she won against Serena Williams. After shrugging off some initial nerves that cost Osaka an early break (0-2), Naomi dismissed Serena Williams with a rough 6-3 6-4 scoreline.
Unfortunately, Serena Williams looked so emotionally shattered after such a straightforward result that she couldn’t even complete the following press conference, leaving in tears.
The overall sensation is that Naomi Osaka is more and more the face of the WTA. Osaka keeps on trying to avoid the topic saying that until Serena Williams is around, she is the “top” character, but it seems that this is a concept that is not widely shared.
Justine Henin has won 7 slams and therefore she is very knowledgeable about what’s going on on tour. She recently commented: “To me, women’s tennis has a new boss, Naomi Osaka has this capacity, she has taken another dimension.”
The schedules
Naomi Osaka has decided to skip the Middle East swing (Doha and Dubai) to head straight back home. She is widely expected to play the Miami Open, where she will probably be considered the top favorite. Osaka is ranked no.2 behind Ashleigh Barty that will start to lose her points after in a month. It seems to be only a matter of time that Naomi Osaka will be the new world no.1 during the course of the year.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Currently the world no.2, Osaka played her last match on the 20th of February when she overcame Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 7th career title.
This year Naomi owns a compiled 10-0 record. Naomi conquered 1 title at the Australian Open.
Serena Williams in 2021
Currently the world no.7, Serena played her last match on the 18th of February when she lost to Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
This year the American owns a compiled 8-1 win-loss record. Serena Williams’s most significant achievement of the current year was reaching the semifinal in Melbourne and at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 4 times. Their actual head to head record is 3-1 for Osaka. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Naomi Osaka won 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 18th of February 2021.
Here the highlights.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams |
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