"Ons makes me feel embarassed" says Naomi Osaka in glowing review of practicing with Jabeur ahead of Australian Open

Japan’s tennis star Naomi Osaka has heaped praise on Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur after practising with her before the start of the Australian Open 2024.

The first Grand Slam of the year is set to begin on Sunday where players from all over the world will participate and showcase their talent to get the ultimate prize. Osaka was recently quoted in a report where she heaped praise on the current world number six for her shot-hitting ability.

“I've hit with Amanda here,” she said. “You know how she is. We were kind of trading returns & serves. Ons, of course, makes me feel embarrassed because of the shots she can play. I'm like, Wow, I wish I could do all those things (smiling).

“Yeah, it was really fun to hit against them. Super happy they let me hit with them, too. Yeah, it's been a learning experience, but I also think I'm pretty confident with where I’m at right now.”

Osaka, who recently made a comeback to professional tennis after a gap of more than one year, will be facing France’s Caroline Garcia in the opening round of the Australian Open.

On the other hand, Jabeur will begin her campaign in Melbourne with a round-of-128 fixture against Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtsewa.