Tennis Today: ‘Potential champion for years to come’ Naomi Osaka makes prestigious list

Tennis Today
Naomi Osaka press conference

In Tennis Today, Naomi Osaka is recognised for her incredible breakthrough in the last year after earning a spot on one of the most prestigious lists in the world.

What’s on the site
Since European clay season is officially upon us, it would be remiss of us to not remember the time when a teenage Rafael Nadal came of age on clay.

Even more impressively, it all happened while he was wearing pirate pants.

Nadal made a predictably impressive start in Monte-Carlo too, cruising past fellow-Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, while Alexander Zverev also scored an impressive victory. 

You can also read all about how Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced too, although one high-profile star suffered an early exit.

And watch as Novak Djokovic took out all of his frustrations on his poor unsuspecting rackets!

What’s in the news
Naomi Osaka is the sole tennis representative on Time Magazine’s 2019 list of most influential people.

The prestigious annual lists names what it believes to be ‘pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and icons of 2019.’

Osaka is listed in the ‘pioneers’ section, and it came with a ringing endorsement from 8-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert.

“Rookie Grand Slam tournament champs often fall short at their next major. All Naomi Osaka did was conquer the world again,” Evert wrote.

“If she had wilted, no one would have blinked…She had her U.S. Open moment to fall back on. But no—Osaka controlled her mind and let her superior power do the work. She won another Slam.

“No one represents our more globalized, multicultural future better than this honest, polite, self-deprecating tennis life force, a potential champion for years to come.”

What’s on social media
The Scots proudly recall when Roger Federer wore a kilt.

We were reminded of just how brilliant Rafael Nadal was on the Monte-Carlo clay even as a 16-year-old…

Naomi Osaka quite literally basked in the glow of her new deal with Nike…

View this post on Instagram

Excuse me. Last one best one 😎

A post shared by 大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) on

While the Mouratoglou Academy posted an absolutely fiendish teaser…

View this post on Instagram

Good luck finding that one 🤯

A post shared by Mouratoglou Tennis Academy 🎾 (@mouratoglou_tennis_academy) on

What’s on TV
ATP Monte-Carlo
LIVE – Amazon Prime Video

WTA Fed Cup
Coverage starts later in the week

Naomi Osaka

Latest