Sports

Tennis: Osaka wants to inspire new generation, says Serena remains the queen

Published

4 years ago

February 22, 2021

Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said she felt comfortable being a role model for the next generation after her fourth Grand Slam victory solidified her position at the forefront of a new era for tennis.

But the Japanese star, a four-time major-winner at the age of just 23, insisted America’s Serena Williams, 39 — who has 23 Slam crowns — remains the face of the women’s game.

Osaka beat America’s Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open final on Saturday to win her fourth Slam from the last eight in which she has played, and extend her year-plus winning streak to 21 matches.

She joins Monica Seles and Roger Federer in winning her first four major finals, and will move up to second in the world rankings.

Her sweeping triumph was viewed as heralding a shift in women’s tennis with Australia’s Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik declaring it a “changing of the guard”, while the New Yorker said Osaka was the “most thrilling athlete of her generation”.

Osaka brushed aside Williams in the semis, after also beating her in the stormy 2018 US Open final to win her first major.

But when asked if she was now taking over from Williams as the game’s leading light, Osaka replied: “No, not at all,” adding that she simply wanted to remain true to herself.

“I have learned on-and-off the court it’s okay to not be sure about yourself,” she said.

“I’m more at peace with where I am, and I’m honestly just happy to be playing a Grand Slam in a pandemic.”

Growing as a person

After winning her second Australian Open title, Osaka spent a lengthy time signing autographs for fans in a gesture that received widespread applause on social media.

Having once grappled with fame as a shy youngster, a content Osaka said she was still “growing as a person” but hoped to provide inspiration to young players.

“In the past I felt it as a very strong responsibility, and I was also very scared and nervous of it,” she said.

“It’s a really big honour that there are little kids that like me, that come to my matches and cheer for me.

“But at the same time, I don’t weigh it too heavily on myself.”

A more mature Osaka, who says she gained greater perspective during tennis’s coronavirus shutdown, said she now appreciated the difficulty of winning a Grand Slam.

“I feel like I know how much hard work you have to put into this, because the first time that I have won both these trophies I think, in a way, I was just a kid,” she said, referring to her wins at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.

“I didn’t really know what I was doing.”

Her win prompted celebrations in Japan, where she will play the Tokyo Olympics this year, while Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi tweeted his congratulations from the International Space Station.

“There are many Japanese fans who are very excited now that Naomi has won the Australian Open,” Japan’s 58th-ranked Yoshihito Nishioka told AFP ahead of next week’s ATP Singapore Open.

“I’m sure they will be following the progress of Japanese players in more tennis tournaments around the world.”

But Osaka said her biggest goal wasn’t Grand Slam titles, an Olympic medal or returning to world number one.

“I feel like the biggest thing that I want to achieve is… hopefully I play long enough to play a girl that said that I was once her favourite player,” she said.

“For me, I think that’s the coolest thing that could ever happen to me… Unfortunately I didn’t get to play Li Na, but, I just think that that’s how the sport moves forward.”

Sports

Inter Milan crush Cagliari 3-0 to top Serie A

Published

11 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Inter Milan crush Cagliari 3-0 to top Serie A

Inter Milan made it three Serie A wins on the bounce, defeating Cagliari 3-0 at the Unipol Domus to claim top spot, overtaking Atalanta BC on goal difference.

Cagliari aimed to recover from their narrow loss to Venezia, but Inter’s arrival posed a daunting challenge, with the Scudetto contenders boasting an 11-match unbeaten league streak coming into the contest.

To their credit, the Isolani held firm early on, even as Lautaro Martínez squandered a golden chance from the edge of the six-yard box, misdirecting Nicolò Barella’s pinpoint cross with a header that grazed the top of the bar.

Despite Davide Nicola’s men testing the visitors’ resolve with swift counters at the other end, and Barella’s thunderous strike forcing a spectacular save from Simone Scuffet, neither side managed to break the deadlock before the interval.

As a result, Cagliari narrowly avoided trailing at half-time for a league-high 10th time, while Inter preserved their status as Serie A’s only team yet to be behind at the break this campaign.

Inter Milan crush Cagliari 3-0 to top Serie A

Sports

After six years, Nigeria qualify for CHAN, thrash Ghana 3-1

Published

12 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

After six years, Nigeria qualify for CHAN, thrash Ghana 3-1

Nigeria’s Super Eagles B on Saturday night recorded an emphatic win over the Black Galaxies in the CHAN qualifier, beating their opponents 3-1.

The Super Eagles B have thus ended their CHAN misfortunes against Ghana, securing a resounding victory against the Black Galaxies in the match played at the Uyo Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.

This win marks Nigeria’s return to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a six-year absence, as they qualified for the tournament set to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1-28, 2025.

The match, held on Saturday evening, witnessed a dominant performance by the Super Eagles B, who scored all three goals in a blistering first half display, with Remo Stars players the inspiration.

The opening goal came from Ismail Sodiq, assisted by Nduka Junior of Remo Stars, followed by a second from Nduka before Saviour of Rangers extended the lead at the break.

Despite Ghana pulling one back in the second half, Nigeria’s early lead proved insurmountable and too much for the Galaxies to overturn.

Historically, Ghana had been a formidable opponent for Nigeria in CHAN qualifiers, having thwarted their attempts to reach the finals in 2009 and 2023. Additionally, Ghana’s Black Stars denied Nigeria qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, further intensifying their rivalry.

But this time around, Nigeria sealed the victory and ensured that Ghana would miss both the upcoming AFCON and CHAN tournaments.

The victory not only ends a frustrating streak against Ghana but also provides a platform for showcasing local talent on an international stage.

Sports

Arsenal climb to second in EPL with 1-0 win over Ipswich

Published

1 day ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Arsenal climb to second in EPL with 1-0 win over Ipswich

LONDON: Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday.

Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand.

Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates.

The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield.

Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard.

Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally.

“It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down,” Havertz said. “They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.”