Naomi Osaka Voices Wish for Idol Serena Williams After Australian Open 2021 Victory

After consigning Serena Williams to another unflattering Grand Slam exit, Naomi Osaka has said that she wants Serena to go on playing “forever.”

The Japanese World Number 3 found her mojo after initial hiccups to tame the 23-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets in the first semifinal of the Australian Open on Thursday.

Osaka recovered from early hiccups to beat Serena Williams in Australian Open Semifinal

After conceding a break in her opening service game, Osaka let fly screaming winners off her handle, leaving the veteran Serena in shock and  awe and prolonging her agonizing quest for a 24th Grand Slam title that will take her to the joint highest career haul alongside yesteryear stalwart Margaret Court.

The 39-year-old Serena walked off the court with her head bowed, unsure whether she would return to Melbourne Park next year.

“I want her to play forever.” –@naomiosaka.😌❤️

Enough said.@serenawilliams | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/J8rf0gDzvk

— TENNIS (@Tennis) February 18, 2021

Naomi Osaka says that she wants Serena Williams to never stop playing tennis

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Japanese star said that she would never want her idol to stop playing tennis. “I want her to play forever. That’s the little kid in me. But yeah…,” the World Number 3 said.