Naomi Osaka On Course To Surpass Serena Williams’ Legacy

Despite insisting Serena Williams is still the most celebrated player in women’s tennis, Naomi Osaka is believed to have already been eclipsing her “idol.”

At the mere age of 23, Osaka has undoubtedly made her mark in women’s tennis. Like most of the younger players in the sport, she too looks up to Williams. However, some are already convinced that the world No. 2 has now become a better version of the tennis legend.

The Williams-Osaka comparison has been a hot subject in the sport in recent times. But for Osaka, it is a bit too early to say that she is the player who would decisively fill the shoes of the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Raving about Osaka’s rise to superstardom, renowned columnist Caitlin Thompson, says “While [Serena] Williams transcended the sport of tennis, becoming a household name as the winningest (at least by grand slam count) celebrity the game has produced,

Osaka is bringing the sport with her into other realms, building off of Williams’ tremendous work but making it her own,” Thompson said in her recent piece published by Eurosport.

“As long as Serena’s here, I think she’s the face of women’s tennis,” Osaka said after beating Williams in the Australian Open earlier this year.

In the recent Madrid Open meanwhile, Osaka was eliminated in the second round by Karolina, 4-6, 6-3, 1-6. The said loss also meant the Japanese player is still unable to win a WTA Tournament on red clay.

Despite the loss, Osaka managed to maintain a positive outlook about it and pointed out that it is at this year’s French Open where she wants to reach her peak.