Four time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has been sensational as she notched up another win over Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska to progress through to the quarterfinals of the Melbourne Summer Set 1 on Thursday. Osaka will now face Germany’s Andrea Petkovic in the quarters as she gears up for the Grand Slam Down Under.
The Japanese who is a two time Australian Open champion has a massive fan following in the country. Osaka is very famous among the young audience. One can easily look at the stands and understand how she attracts more fans with her fluent style of play.
After her win, Osaka shared how she likes to spend most of the time signing autographs for her fans courtside. Osaka revealed how she does not want to miss signing any autograph as it reminds her of her childhood and how she could never get to collect any autograph from her childhood tennis stars.
“I feel I have a hard time walking away from a kid asking me to sign something,” Osaka said. “I remember when I was a kid and I wanted to get autographs from my favorite players, I actually didn’t get any because I was in the back of the crowd, and I wasn’t able to get to the front.”
Osaka is fierce on the court but off the court, she is this generous young lady full of compassion and love. She has always been a pillar in women’s tennis in recent years. Osaka highlighted how she used to watch the Miami Open because she lived in Florida. But as so many people would rush for autographs she would not even get a chance to get her’s.
“I was watching [Gael] Monfils and [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga in the Miami Open because I lived in Florida, and everyone would rush to the gate as soon as Tsonga finished, so I couldn’t get an autograph.”
The youngster highlights how she is gradually taking every game at a time. She also points out that she meditates during her off time. She feels that setting up goals and following her daily schedule helps her enjoy her sport more.
Speaking on her next opponent Andrea Petkovic, Osaka heaped praise on the German veteran. She revealed that she has seen Petkovic on TV and it will be fascinating playing against someone of her stature.
“For me to be able to watch them and have a long career like this, I don’t think it’s anything to be taken lightly,” the 24-year-old said. “They’ve been here for a long time for a reason, and for me, I think there’s a lot of respect both ways that goes into it.”
