Jan 31, 2021 | 12:15 AM EST
Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – Japan’s Naomi Osaka with Serena Williams of the U.S. at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – Japan’s Naomi Osaka with Serena Williams of the U.S. at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – Japan’s Naomi Osaka with Serena Williams of the U.S. at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – Japan’s Naomi Osaka with Serena Williams of the U.S. at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has revealed that she doesn’t see herself as the face of women’s tennis. The World No. 3 not only clinched her third Grand Slam title last season but was also named by Forbes as the top-earning female athlete in 2020.
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Naomi Osaka feels Serena Williams is the undisputed queen of women’s tennis
Osaka’s earnings from prize money and endorsements last year helped her vault past 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and former Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova in terms of money made in a calendar year.
Despite big brands lining up to have her sign lucrative deals, Osaka feels she still has a long way to go before being called the “face” of women’s tennis.
Q. How are you grappling with being seen as the face of women's tennis these days?
Naomi Osaka: Honestly I don't feel that way. There's so many interesting new people. I think I'm one of the new people.
As long as Serena's here, I think she's the face of women's tennis. pic.twitter.com/h1VVEy9x4H
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 31, 2021
The reigning US Open champion told WTA Insider that the mantle is still with Serena, the one who inspired her father to put her into tennis. Osaka said she considers herself to be just one of “so many interesting new people” in the women’s game.
In a big shout-out for the 39-year-old American, Osaka said that no other player can stake claim to the title of being the face of women’s tennis as long as Serena is around.
Reuters
Tennis – A Day at the Drive Exhibition – Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia – January 29, 2021 Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts during her match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka at A Day at The Drive REUTERS/Morgan Sette
“As long as Serena’s here, I think she is the face of women’s tennis,” the Japanese said.
Though known to be measured with words, Osaka has never shied away from expressing her admiration for the American veteran.
Serena Williams and Osaka were pictured exchanging smiles at the Adelaide exhibition event
In a recent interview with Vogue magazine, the Japanese said that Serena is the reason why she is in the game.
Even in her most recent Twitter post, Osaka shared two pictures with Serena; one of her first meeting with the American, and the other bring a recent picture, taken at ‘Day at the Drive’ event in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open.
The first pic The most recent pic pic.twitter.com/3jYv9yxxju
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 29, 2021
The two stars were pictured exchanging smiles between points during the exhibition tie in Adelaide and even caught up on the sidelines after the match.
Read More: Serena Williams Announces Good News Ahead of Australian Open 2021
However, setting the camaraderie apart, Serena and Osaka are two of the fiercest rivals in the women’s game and are tied at 2-2 in head-to-head battles.
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