Naomi Osaka is no stranger to big moments on the court, but her upcoming match in the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal is shaping up to be one of the most special of her career.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will go head-to-head with 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, who has openly called Naomi Osaka her idol.
In a press conference ahead of the match, Osaka was asked about a 4-year-old interview in which Mboko named her as a role model. To which, she admitted, “I don’t think that’s ever happened. I’m shook.”
That’s not all; she further went on to reflect on the moment, “It’s really cute… I guess I have to have a really good attitude tomorrow. I can’t let her not like me anymore.”
For Osaka, this match carries a deeper meaning than just the chance at another title. “I’m really honored. I always said that I would love to play someone that looked up to me in a way, so it’s happening way sooner than I thought it would.”
Furthermore, she even shared a playful observation, “I was low-key like, ‘That’s my little twin,’ because we both have our blue dresses and our buns and everything.”
The final clash between the two unseeded players is going to be bigger than ever. For Osaka, this will be her 12th career final and her first WTA 1000 final since 2022. After stepping away from the sport in 2023 to focus on her mental health and welcome her daughter, Naomi Osaka has worked to regain her form and confidence.
Her semifinal performance against Clara Tauson was yet another reminder of her gameplay, as she powered through with a 6-2, 7-6(7) victory.
Victoria Mboko, on the other hand, is stepping into the biggest match of her young career. The teenager, still relatively unknown on the WTA tour, has captured hearts with her steady rise.
Win or lose, Sunday’s final will be a landmark moment for fans. For Osaka, it’s a full-circle chapter from being the girl who once looked up to Serena Williams to now being the inspiration on the other side of the net.