Naomi Osaka has never shied away from acknowledging the impact that Serena Williams and Venus Williams made on tennis. However, the Japanese star has added Novak Djokovic to her list of players who have affected a change in the sport.
Meanwhile, Osaka made headlines for her jellyfish-inspired outfit ahead of her first-round match at the Australian Open last month. She wore a turquoise veil and a wide-brimmed hat while carrying a white umbrella.
Known for her impeccable fashion sense, the former World No. 1 recently sat for a conversation with Hypebeast. When asked if she had seen any changes in tennis over the years, the 28-year-old started with her idols.
“Everyone’s been inspired by the William sisters,” Osaka said. “Whether they say it or not, they’ve definitely changed the game a lot. And I think when I played, I was lucky enough to play both of them. Looking back, there’s a few players I looked up to who I wish I could have played against, like Li Na or [Elena] Dementieva. I also kind of liked the drama with Janković.”
She continued:
“As far as the players go, obviously, everyone’s stronger and faster now, and I think people also just take the sport itself more seriously. In the times before us, I think some athletes could get away with doing certain things just because they were athletic enough. Now everyone’s figuring out their fitness level.”
Commending Djokovic for his fitness at the age of 38, Osaka added:
“I feel like that also has to do with Djokovic, to be honest. He’s kind of set a precedent on understanding your body and putting in work to do all the recovery. He’s amazing. He just went to the Australian Open finals, and he’s still here fighting and winning.”
Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the title clash.
Naomi Osaka On Whether She Would Want To Work To Improve Tennis After Retiring
During the same conversation, Naomi Osaka revealed whether she would want to do something in tennis whenever she hangs up her racket amid her “love-hate relationship with the sport.”
“I’m not really sure, to be honest. I had a love-hate relationship with the sport just because I feel like I’ve been through so much in such a short amount of time. I’m also very grateful for everything that the sport has provided me,” she said.
“If somehow I inspired someone that looked like me to play this sport, that’s one of the greatest things that could occur. And that would also make me want to continue doing things with the sport after my career finishes,” she added.
The World No. 16 won her first two matches in Melbourne against Antonia Ružić and Sorana Cîrstea, but an abdominal injury forced her to withdraw ahead of her third-round clash with Maddison Inglis.
Osaka will next be in action in Indian Wells at the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open, beginning March 4.
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