feature-image

Reuters

feature-image

Reuters

Naomi Osaka is one of the most promising players on the tour. The 24-year-old is a 4-time Grand Slam champion and a former World No. 1. Even though Osaka has tasted massive success on the tour, her biggest accomplishment came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she lit the Olympic cauldron.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

This was a unique honor that drew a mention from?former World No.1, Lindsay Davenport. The former American tennis star revealed the hilarious conversation she had with her daughter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Why was Osaka’s torch-bearing a special one for Lindsay Davenport?

While conversing with prominent tennis host Isaac Gaulden, Davenport recalled the time she saw Osaka lighting the Olympic Torch. She said, “We were watching the Tokyo Olympics last summer… I said to my 12-year-old daughter that we have to watch. Osaka is going to light the torch. This is gonna be amazing… So, we stayed up to watch.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Lindsay Davenport dominated the WTA tour in the late nineties. In 1996, the American star outplayed some top players like Anke Huber, Iva-Majoli Maric, and Arantxa S?nchez Vicario to win the Olympic Gold in Atlanta.

However, her daughter feels that Davenport’s Olympic era was not like that of Osaka’s. Recalling the hilarious conversation, a laughing Davenport said, “We were talking about the Olympics, and she’s like, “you didn’t play in like that Olympics.” I was like, yeah? That’s the Olympics. I played it.”?

ADVERTISEMENT

Also read- ?He?s Going to Play Laver Cup And?? ? Roger Federer?s Agent Reveals Roger Federer?s Return Plans

Davenport’s daughter might be her mother’s biggest fan, but the 12-year-old undoubtedly had a different opinion than that of her mother. Explaining her daughter’s point further, Davenport said, “She was like, no mom, I know there’s different levels. But not like Olympics like the Tokyo one.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Naomi Osaka at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games

Even though Osaka dazzled as the face of the 2020 Olympics opening ceremony when she became the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron, she failed to conjure magic on the court. Entering the tournament as the second seed, she kicked off her Olympic campaign with a win over China’s Zheng Saisai.

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

Reuters

The Japanese star followed it up with a win over Switzerland’s Viktorija?Golubic in the next round, but exited in the third round with a defeat to Marketa?Vondrousova.?

Watch this story- The Greatest Comebacks in Tennis

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Ahmar Wasif

953 Articles

Ahmar Wasif is a Golf author at EssentiallySports. He is a national level tennis player and has a number of titles to his name. His experience on the court allows him to incorporate a deeper understanding in his coverage of the sport. Ahmar has worked with various media organizations as part of their editorial team, most recently with The Probe. When he's not following his idol Rafael Nadal, Ahmar loves to munch on food and try new and different cuisines.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Reubyn Coutinho

ADVERTISEMENT