Australian Open: Justin Henin - "Naomi Osaka is the new boss"
Even before the final of the Australian Open 2021, Justin Henin announced Naomi Osaka as the new boss on the WTA tour.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Feb 19, 2021, 01:53 pm
Venus Williams has said goodbye to Australia on Instagram, with the addition that they will meet again next year. You shouldn't be so sure about her younger sister Serena . The way in which Serena said goodbye to the few spectators after her defeat on the court of the Rod Laver Arena could also indicate an imminent resignation.
From a sporting point of view, however, Serena Williams had to recognize the superiority of Naomi Osaka after the two convincing successes against Aryna Sabalenka and Simona Halep . "Osaka doesn't mind the speed of Williams," says German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann. And Justine Henin, former world number one and now an expert at Eurosport, has already given her verdict: "For me, women's tennis has a new boss."
Henin - Osaka will win several Grand Slam tournaments
And her name is Naomi Osaka. The last playful defeat for the Japanese was in the Fed Cup on Spanish sand last February. After that, Osaka has won every match she competed in. In the final in Cincinnati / New York against Victoria Azarenka and in the semi-final of the Gippsland Trophy against Elise Mertens, the 23-year-old did not start as a precautionary measure. The victory at the US Open 2020 proved her right. And now Osaka is about to win their fourth major and has to defeat Jennifer Brady on Saturday (from 09:30 CET live on ServusTV, Eurosport and in our live ticker).
Justine Henin is already impressed. "She is really charismatic and actually has no weaknesses," said the Belgian at Eurosport. “She could maybe improve her first serve percentage, but I'm really impressed. She plays like a champion. I am convinced that she will win more Grand Slam tournaments. ”With title number four, Osaka could be the first player since Maria Sharapova to break that mark. With women as with men. Angelique Kerber , Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray currently hold at three like Osaka.
Here the single tableau of women
laver arena