via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning match point in her Women’s Singles fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during day seven of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning match point in her Women’s Singles fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during day seven of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka and British teenager Emma Raducanu have grabbed most of the headlines during the 2021 WTA season. The 24-year-old player is one of the most prominent players in the women’s game and Emma Raducanu’s fairytale season has been the sporting story of the year.
Recently, Google released their “Year in Search” video for this year. In it, they featured the most notable events that were searched on Google in 2021. The two aforementioned stars, Raducanu and Osaka, were a part of the video.
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Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu feature in Google’s ‘Year In Search’ video
Osaka’s image in the video featured as the search on the screen read, “How to take care of your mental health.”
Naomi began the year on a high note, winning the Australian Open and making it her fourth Grand Slam title in quick succession. After that, she was one of the first high-profile athletes to reveal her problems with mental illness. She withdrew before her second-round match of the French Open and skipped the Wimbledon Championships as well.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after recording match point Marie Bouzkova of Czech Republic in the first round on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Since then, many athletes have come out in support of Naomi and revealed the issues they have faced with mental health as well.
Raducanu’s euphoric celebrations after she won the US Open title also featured amidst a montage of celebratory visuals in Google’s video.
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The Brit enjoyed the most incredible breakthrough season on tour this year. She first gained prominence during the Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the second week of the tournament but, unfortunately, had to withdraw.
via Reuters
Tennis – Champions Tennis – The Royal Albert Hall, London, Britain – November 28, 2021 Britain’s Emma Raducanu reacts during her match against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse REUTERS/Tony Obrien
After that, she had the best two weeks of her life, winning the US Open in her first appearance. Emma came straight from qualifying to grab the title without dropping a single set.
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Well, now that the season is over, the players are set to land on Australian soil, ready to compete in the first Grand Slam event of the year. Osaka will be defending her title, whereas Raducanu will be competing as a new Grand Slam winner. We wish them the best of luck.
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