Naomi Osaka on Sunday played down her fast rise into superstardom, believing 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams remains the “face of women’s tennis”.
The 23-year-old has made a significant splash on and off the court since beating a tempestuous Williams in an infamous US Open final in 2018.
Osaka has since added two more Grand Slam titles to her rising tally and the world number three is one of the favorites at the upcoming Australian Open, which she won two years ago.
The success has made her a firm favorite with fans and sponsors and the Japanese star last year surpassed Williams as the world’s highest-paid female athlete after a slew of lucrative deals.
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Keep on reading: Serena’s still the face of women’s tennis, says Osaka