Following her triumph over tennis legend Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka claimed victory over Jennifer Brady in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) to clinch her second Australian Open grand slam title.
Osaka’s performance remained impressive throughout the tournament, with only Garbine Muguruza from Spain managing to push her to a third set in the fourth round.
At just 23 years old, Osaka has achieved a notable feat by becoming the first woman since Monica Seles to win the first four grand slam finals of her professional career. With this latest win, she now boasts four grand slam titles, including her previous Australian Open victory in 2019 and her two US Open triumphs in 2018 and 2020.
According to the current rankings by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Osaka holds the third spot among female singles tennis players worldwide. She is also the fourth youngest player in the WTA’s top ten rankings.
Despite her loss in the final, Brady’s journey to the championship match was a remarkable accomplishment. This marked her first appearance in a grand slam final, especially notable considering the challenges she faced. Brady highlighted that her preparation for the tournament was hindered due to a mandatory two-week quarantine, where she was confined to her hotel room as part of Covid-19 safety protocols. Addressing reporters post-match, she mentioned, “Maybe if I wasn’t in quarantine, I would have won.”
The 2021 Australian Open has recently faced scrutiny for apparent discrepancies in the accommodation provided to players during the mandatory quarantine period upon arrival in the country. Criticism arose after images surfaced of Novak Djokovic practicing with his coach on the balcony of his hotel room, shedding light on the differing conditions experienced by players.
