Naomi Osaka managed to win the first four Grand Slam finals she played in her career. After canceling match points in Garbine Muguruza, the Japanese tennis player beat Su-Wei Hsieh, Serena Williams and Jennifer Brady, among others, without ever really having problems To find her defeat, we have to go back to February 2020.
she Against the American tennis player she ends 6-4 6-3 after just under ninety minutes of play. In the press conference after the defeat at the Australian Open 2021 final, Jennifer Brady talked about her first Slam final, her ambitions, her rival and her future.
She said: “It didn’t go the way I wanted. I enjoyed every single minute of my first Grand Slam final. And I hope there will be many more. Midway through the first set I started to feel the ball a little better but I don’t think I will.
I have played my best tennis, which I’m sorry. I believe I belong to this level. Winning a Grand Slam is an achievable goal, within reach. I’m not used to giving myself deadlines, I would say it will happen when it has to happen.
Jennifer Brady: “Naomi Osaka isn’t a God, Serena is it!”
I’m not planning for example, to win Wimbledon in 2021. When that happens, I’ll be thrilled. On the court I was nervous, but when I got out I felt… normal, and at the same time different from what I expected.
A year ago I would have thought it was like going on Mars, now I feel more comfortable at this level. I am proud of myself and of what I have done, but at the same time to walk away with the consolation trophy is a bit sad.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams receive an emotional message from Michelle Obama
Without the quarantine maybe I would have won! I don’t think she hindered me that much, but who knows. I think the Australians did a great job, I think they had zero cases. We could have a normal life, go out for dinner, and that’s something we haven’t done in a long time.
I don’t want to leave Australia, but unfortunately I have to. I’m a little sad about this. Osaka played very well when it was necessary to do so. When she needs it, she takes great shots. You did the same thing in New York, against me.
She has faith in her service and is able to successfully play high-risk shots at decisive moments, which is why it is difficult to deal with. She has played four Grand Slam finals and won them all, I think this is also difficult to do.
Michelle Obama’s message
She plays aggressively and puts a lot of pressure on you, which is something not all players can do. She knows what she has to do, she has faith in herself, in her game and in her team. But I don’t think she’s a God!
Maybe Serena is! Maybe Naomi will get there too. I don’t know, but she obviously is a great tennis player. Although maybe we’re not all that different.”
