via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 14, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her fourth round match against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza REUTERS/Loren Elliott
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 14, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her fourth round match against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Japanese World No. 3 Naomi Osaka is through to the semifinals after defeating Taiwanese Hsieh Su-Wei in straight sets. Although she won with a commanding score of 6-2, 6-2, she couldn’t help but feel stressed even after the match. Such are the Grand Slam matches.
At the Australian Open 2021, the 23-year-old Naomi Osaka had a few ups and downs on the performance meter. However, in her latest match, she not only found her agility around the court but also played with a smile.
Considering her narrow escape against Garbine Muguruza in the third-round match, this is positive for the reigning US Open champion. But while signing the camera post the win against Su-Wei, her nerves once again took control.
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Read More: WOW! Serena Williams Becomes the Oldest Active Player to Reach a Grand Slam Semifinal
Iga Swiatek responds to Osaka’s stressed-out signature video
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 16, 2021, Japan’s Naomi Osaka signs her autograph on the TV camera after winning her quarterfinal match against Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh REUTERS/Kelly Defina
Naomi shared the video on her Instagram handle, where she froze for a second.
She wrote, “Dude what is that, I can’t draw under pressure, my hands were shivering so bad I was stressed.”
This gave her friend and the French Open champion Iga Swiatek a reason to respond. The 19-year-old Polish had competed for the quarterfinals spot but lost to second seed Simona Halep 6-3, 1-6, 4-6. It was a disheartening end for her as she scraped away a set lead in the match.
Since the Japanese star could produce a win out of it, Swiatek decided to share her pain. She commented, “It’s good that you can play tennis under pressure.”
Having said that, the playing conditions in Melbourne Park are also not easy. With the heat over the head, the pressure consistently rises on the players.
Naomi even replied, “The shade,” with displeasing emoticons.
Undoubtedly, Swiatek will come back stronger after the Australian Open 2021. For Naomi, her next opponent is the 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams.
WATCH: Iga Swiatek Crashes in Naomi Osaka’s Press Conference at Australian Open 2021
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Can Naomi Osaka win her fourth Grand Slam title?
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 16, 2021, Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates winning her quarterfinal match against Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Osaka is leading in the head-to-head tally against the 39-year-old American 2-1. In addition to that, she revealed that she always watches Serena’s matches and is looking forward to playing against her.
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There is no doubt that the Japanese star is in good form right now; however, those nerves will indeed be tested to the limits against one of the greatest players of all time. If she can master her nerves, she has a great chance to take the title from here on. But can she? We will know it on February 18.
