Serena Williams praised Naomi Osaka as an “incredible opponent” at a news conference on Tuesday, as the two tennis superstars were preparing to play against each other in the 2021 Australian Open semifinals on Thursday.
After defeating Romanian Simona Halep in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Williams answered questions about how he felt about the next match against Osaka in Japan during an interview after the match.
“I feel good, I feel like … I’m here, I’m happy to be here and I have to continue, that’s obviously the goal,” said Williams. “Obviously, I have an incredible opponent to play, so it will be good, I hope, to keep raising the level of my game – I will have to do that.”
In another part of the press conference, Williams noted that Osaka is a “very strong player”.
“I feel like she does everything well, she has a good serve, she has a great return, she is strong on both sides,” added Williams. (See the full clip below.)
Williams and Osaka faced each other memorably at the US Open 2018, when referee Carlos Ramos controversially issued three code violations to Williams. Osaka defeated Williams in that fight, winning his first Grand Slam title.
The furor surrounding the infamous match overshadowed Osaka’s victory at the time, and the event fueled a wave of racist and sexist attacks against Williams.
Williams talked about the controversial departure in a 2019 rehearsal for Harper’s Bazaar, sharing a note he sent to Osaka that said, in part:
“I had no idea that the media would pit us against each other. I would love the chance to live that moment again. I am, I was and always will be happy for you and I will support you. I would never, ever want the light to shine away from another woman, specifically from another black athlete. ”
During an interview on the Australian Open court on Tuesday, Williams praised Osaka for being a strong player and an inspiring person off the court.
“It is so nice to see just someone who is so inspiring in both,” she added.
Osaka, 23, who grew up idolizing Williams, 39, noted during an interview after the match this week that she always “watches Serena’s matches”.
Williams is looking for his 24th Grand Slam singles title, which would tie Margaret Court’s record, including the 13th court won before the Open era.
Calling all HuffPost superfans!
Sign up as a member to become a founding member and help shape the next chapter of HuffPost