'Serena Williams is one of my role models,' says Naomi Osaka

After competing at only four tournaments in 2020, Naomi Osaka is preparing for the new season in Adelaide, hoping to regain the Australian Open title and continue where she left in New York.

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Naomi saved the previous season at the US Open, not playing at her best in Brisbane and Melbourne and fixing that in new York to conquer the third out of the last eight Major tournaments.

Speaking about her role models, Osaka said she always finds inspiration in her family. The prominent youngster also mentioned Serena Williams as the rival she admires the most, praising the American for everything she has achieved on and off the court.

Serena and Naomi have played thrice so far, with the Japanese scoring victories in Miami and the US Open 2018. Serena's only triumph came in Canada 2019, when she beat Osaka in straight sets.

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"I'm someone who grew up playing tennis and wanted to become good enough to play on a global scale, and somehow, I did it. My family will always be my number one influence, and I really admire Serena Williams. I have quite a few role models, actually. Having many role models is great because you can draw traits from each of them and build your own ideal," Naomi Osaka said.