Naomi Osaka shares what she wrote about Serena Williams on her third grade school report

Naomi Osaka is an established tennis superstar.

She has an electrifying game that captivates crowds all over the world, and this helped her win four Grand Slam titles.

Her breakout moment came at the age of 20, when she defeated Serena Williams to win the first of her two US Open titles.

This was a pivotal moment for Naomi Osaka and the 23-time Grand Slam champion was one of her biggest inspirations coming up.

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka wrote that Serena Williams was her role model in her third grade school report

Osaka followed in the footsteps of Williams by becoming a multi-time Australian Open and US Open champion.

The Japanese star defeated the American on the way to winning two of her major honours, and she has won three of their four WTA Tour matches.

Osaka was thrilled to share the court with Williams on multiple occasions, especially after revealing the 23-time Grand Slam champion has been her role model since primary school.

“I always get so star struck by her. I wrote my third grade report on her,” Osaka told the Jay Shetty podcast.

“I think the school was asking who is your role model and why is the person your role model and stuff like that.

“I think I wrote my role model is Serena and then I have cut out a printed photo of her because she is the greatest tennis player of all time and she is an amazing role model figure for me and stuff like that.”

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka says what Serena Williams did after the 2018 US Open final

Osaka’s first US Open victory was somewhat overshadowed by Williams‘ outburst at the chair umpire.

Williams was given a code violation during the match after she was adjudged to have received coaching advice by Patrick Mouratoglou from the stands.

She proceeded to raise her voice at the umpire before resuming the match, which Osaka won 6-2, 6-4. Osaka was then subjected to some boos from the crowd during the trophy presentation, which reduced her to tears.

Post-match, Williams urged the crowd to be more supportive of Osaka and she sent her a message after the match. “She was actually really kind and she sent me a message. I sent her one back. I always get so star struck by her,” Osaka added.

“I wrote my third grade report on her. I just remember getting the message and being like no way! And sending a response and immediately putting it on mute, because I just could not handle it.”