Naomi Osaka’s life-long dream was fulfilled when she met her idols, Venus, and Serena Williams on-court. And very soon she defeated the Williams sisters on the ground for two consecutive years. Being a “Serena person,” Osaka has previously claimed that meeting the younger Williams sister was the “best day of her life”. However, when it comes to Venus Williams, Osaka has also mentioned that her career was building up to the moment she first met her on the court. Reminiscing those memories in her latest interview, Naomi Osaka shared her “out of body” experience while playing against the Williams sisters.

During an episode of “Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios, ” Naomi Osaka opened up about the first time she beat Venus and Serena Williams during the years 2017 and 2018, respectively. Osaka experienced the interaction as if it were a scene from her imagination coming to life. For her, it went beyond the bounds of reality. She said, “I am not sure because I feel like growing up. I dreamed of the moment so many times, and then to finally experience it in real life. It kind of felt like I was watching myself on TV. So a bit out of body.”

Even if she faced her idols for the first time, it did not let her submit to the intimidation that she felt against them. During the 2017 WTA Hong Kong Open, she beat Venus Williams with a score of 7-5, 6-2. And adding to that, she also beat Serena Williams with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in the Miami Open of 2018.

Nevertheless, Naomi Osaka’s humility came through as she struggled with a touching sense of melancholy amidst the amazement and joy. “But also, I don’t know, a little sad because I felt kind of sad for them. Like I am sure they were going to feel sad losing to me because I was kind of a nobody at that moment,” she added in the interview. Indeed, a 20-year-old Osaka at that time was yet to reach the peak of her career. But before that, she fulfilled her dreams of meeting her idols on-court.

Her comments reflect a sense of awe and admiration for the lasting impact Serena and Venus have had on her. Therefore, Osaka has always been vocal about the Williams sisters and their contribution to her career building.

Naomi Osaka admits she “wouldn’t be here without Serena, Venus, her whole family”

In 2022, before Serena Williams’ last match in the US Open, Naomi Osaka appreciated the legacy that the Williams sisters’ have brought into the sporting industry. Calling her the biggest force in the athletic world, she struggled to put her feelings into words. “I think that her legacy is really wide, to the point where you can’t even describe it in words,” she said during an interview.

Further continuing, she added, “Like, she changed the sport so much. She’s introduced people that have never heard of tennis into the sport. I think I’m a product of what she’s done.”

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Growing up watching your idol on screen, only to eventually beat them on the ground, Naomi Osaka reminisced about the impact that her idol has had on her life. “I wouldn’t be here without Serena, Venus, her whole family. I’m, like, very thankful to her,” she added. As she progresses towards more success and fame, her reflections on her idols give a glimpse of her respect for the icons that she has learned from during her illustrious career.