‘Like Being in a Swordfight’: WTA Player Describes How Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Differ as Competitors

Nobody has ever dominated the tennis circuit quite like Serena Williams. Undoubtedly, the 23-Grand Slam champion is one of the greatest athletes to grace the court.

However, it has been half a decade since Williams won a Grand Slam. On the other hand, newer stars have taken over the circuit. In fact, it almost seems like every single Grand Slam is bound to have a new, younger champion!

Nevertheless, one name that shines as the title favorite in every major tournament is that of Naomi Osaka. Germany’s Andrea Petkovic recently opened up about how it feels to play against both Osaka and Serena Williams.

Both Osaka and Serena Williams make their opponent feel powerless

Naomi Osaka just defeated German tennis player Andrea Petkovic in their quarter-final bout at the Melbourne Summer Set 1. The tournament is a warmup tournament that precedes the Australian Open. Osaka blazed past Petkovic in straight sets, winning the match 6-1, 7-5.

When asked about the difference between facing Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, Petkovic responded comprehensively. Firstly, she clarified a misconception where people believe Serena Williams “just plays power tennis”. However, Petkovic disagreed. According to her, one feels powerless against Williams because “she really builds a point well.”

“With Serena, you just have the feeling when she’s playing well that in every part of the game, she’s just that much better,” Petkovic describes. Thus, when you feel like Serena Williams is better than you in every department of the game, it “is enough to destroy you on court mentally, and suck out your soul,” the German admitted.

On the other hand, with Naomi, “it’s a different feeling of powerlessness,” Petkovic describes. “It feels like she’s physically too strong for you,” she adds. “It just feels like I can’t possibly hit the ball as hard to push her back,” she further said.

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“She’s (Naomi) going to throw the kitchen sink at me,” Andrea exaggeratedly stated.

Petkovic likens playing Serena and Osaka to swordfighting

According to Petkovic, playing against Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka is quite akin to a swordfight. “It’s like being in a swordfight. Somebody is so fast, that the only thing you can do is defend,” she said.

With Osaka, one cannot consider going on the offense. “You don’t even have the time to think about attacking. That’s how it is with Naomi,” Petkovic stated. Comparing that to Serena, she said that against her you’re constantly getting outdone in every department of the game, which is the main difference.

It is only because of the aforementioned traits that Serena has been able to dominate the Tour for decades. On the other hand, Osaka has enjoyed a spectacular rise, winning four Grand Slam titles in quick succession. Her victory against Serena in the final of the 2018 US Open was regarded by many as a “passing of the torch” moment, from one champion to the next.

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