Osaka asserts "It is silly to write Serena off"

Even though Serena Williams hasn't captured a title since returning in 2018 from having a child, Naomi Osaka believes the 23-time major champion shouldn't be discounted.

ByMatt Cronin

Published Dec 20, 2019

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The two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says that 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Willliams shouldn't be discounted next season.

Williams did not win a tournament this season, but she did reach the final at Wimbledon, losing against Simona Halep, and at the US Open, going down against Bianca Andreescu.

"It is silly to write Serena off," Osaka said, speaking to theSydney Daily Telegraph. "She was the finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open, staying in the Top 10 despite playing the fewest number of tournaments. I think people are a bit hard on her, she isn't just someone that you write off."

Osaka asserts "It is silly to write Serena off"

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Willliams has not won a title since returning in 2018 from having a child, though she plays a limited schedule. But she has reached two other Grand Slam finals, including a defeat to Osaka at the 2018 US Open.

The 22-year-old from Japan also noted the influence Williams has had on other players, including Osaka.

"I wouldn't have played tennis if it wasn't for Serena and her sister Venus, watching them play when I was younger and embracing tennis myself together with my sister. Serena is definitely someone that I look up to," said Osaka. "There are a lot of excellent players coming up and I feel women's tennis is powerful right now.”

Williams is No. 10 while Osaka is No.3 in the rankings.