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Naomi Osaka of Japan hugs Serena Williams of the United States after winning the Women’s Singles finals match on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Naomi Osaka of Japan hugs Serena Williams of the United States after winning the Women’s Singles finals match on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
3-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has always applauded Serena Williams. She believes that both the Williams sisters are a source of inspiration for her. In the past, she has revealed on many occasions that it is because of both Serena and Venus Williams that she was able to become a successful tennis player.
In a recent interview, Naomi Osaka reiterated the value of Serena Williams and Venus Williams in her life. She revealed that she has admired the Williams sisters since her childhood.
“My teenage dream was different, but our paths would eventually cross. My young aspirations owe so much to Serena and Venus,” said Osaka in the interview.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Coco Gauff of the United States of America in the Women’s Singles Round three match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
What was different this time was that the Japanese star highlighted that she and her dad also took inspiration from Richard Williams, the father of the Williams sisters. She also talked about how her dad used to teach her the methods of Richard that also set the blueprint for her success.
“My dad studied the Williams sisters and their dad, Richard. He describes Richard’s method as the “blueprint” to our success. Everything we did was inspired by them,” added the World No. 3 player.
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“Lived that moment over and over in my head”- Naomi Osaka
Osaka mentioned that she thought of playing a Grand Slam final over and over again in her head after seeing her idols. She even recalled the US Open 2018 final where she was up against her idol, Serena. She admitted that it was after that moment that her dream had finally come true.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan cries after winning the Women’s Singles finals match alongside runner up Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“I would dream about one day playing them in a grand slam final. I lived that moment over and over in my head until one day, in 2018, it was real. The dream had become a reality,” concluded the 23-year-old.
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It was surely a memorable final in which Osaka thrashed Williams in straight sets to win her maiden Grand Slam title. Osaka not only managed to face her role model in a Grand Slam final but was able to defeat her as well.
Both Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are currently preparing for the Australian Open 2021. Fans are really hoping to see yet another epic encounter between the two great players. Will Osaka and Williams face each other in the finals of yet another major this year?
Also Read: Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams to play the lead-up events of the Australian Open 2021
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