Naomi Osaka has always considered Serena Williams as her role model, and she was honored only to share the court with her (let alone beating her).
The Japanese is currently in Indian Wells where she will defend her title. Unfortunately, it is well known that Serena had some problems in the past with the local fans, but that is over.
Some people go with me because they do not like Serena Williams. OSAKA
After their clash in the US Open final, Naomi has been hailed by some as the “anti-Serena,” ie. the hero that has finally beaten the American.
During a recent interview in the desert, Naomi was asked about this “role” as the “anti-Serena.”
“If I were to put it bluntly, I know that there’s a lot of people that don’t like Serena, and I feel like they’re just looking for someone to sort of jump on to be against her, and I feel like they found that in me.
Of course, I don’t really like that. I want people to go with me for the right reasons. If I’m blunt, I feel like that’s happened a lot, like after the U.S. Open.”
The Naomi had to stop as she started to break down in tears. That was for a little moment as the Japanese sensation added
“I love Serena. Growing up. I really loved watching her matches, and honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am without her. That’s a fact.
She opened so many doors for tennis and especially for people of color. When you’re little, and you’re growing up, and you’re watching people, like the Indian Wells thing that happened.”
IN GREAT TERMS
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