23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has been a role model for generations of women tennis players. Even four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka followed in her footsteps to make it to the global stage. The duo even played one of the most iconic Slam finals at the US Open in 2018. However, the world remembers their match as one of the most controversial matches in tennis history. And so, Osaka decided to open up on the same.

In a recent interview, the 24-year-old Japanese star reflected on the heat Serena Williams had received from critics after their US Open 2018 final. “I can’t say that if we were both male players, the outcome would have been the same way,” Naomi Osaka emphasized.

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Naomi Osaka on criticism Serena Williams received after the US Open 2018 final

Notably, it was Osaka‘s maiden Grand Slam title, defeating her idol Williams in the US Open 2018 final. But instead of bursting into tears of joy, the Japanese star cried because she felt sad about how the match had ended.

What happened was Williams called the chair umpire a “thief” for stealing a point. For this, she received a third code violation after on-court coaching and racquet abuse and received a game penalty. That is how Osaka won her first major title in New York.

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Accordingly, the reigning Australian Open champion highlighted the inequality between men and women tennis players.

“There’s actually been male players that have done far worse, like literally last year and this year, and they don’t get news reports at all. So, I’m not sure if it’s because Serena is Serena, or [if] people just wanted to write negative things,” Osaka told WBB.

Furthermore, Osaka acknowledged the impact Williams has on the tennis world. Thus, she felt unfortunate that the world saw their final in a different light.

“I can say that people are very interested in Serena, and whatever she does is going to get attention. And it was just unfortunate that it had to be that moment that caught a lot of people’s interest,” Osaka concluded.

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When will Osaka return to the WTA Tour?

Indeed, the 2021 season did not see much of Osaka as she completed the year with an 18-6 win-loss record. Moreover, she even went on a tennis break following her US Open loss this year.

But Naomi Osaka is back on the court and will most likely compete at the Australian Open next year. In addition, tennis queen Serena Williams has already confirmed she will play Happy Slam 2022.

Are you hoping to see Osaka and Williams battle again next year?

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