Naomi Osaka joked that she was ‘shook’ after being told that her Canadian Open rival idolised her while growing up. The Japanese star will face home favourite Victoria Mboko in the final today.
Eighteen-year-old sensation Mboko has reached her first-ever WTA 1000 final. The Canadian has defeated the likes of Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina to reach the showdown at her home tournament. Osaka, who has enjoyed a resurgence this year, was stunned to learn that she is Mboko’s idol. The teenager revealed the fact during an interview several years ago.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened. I’m shook,” Osaka laughed. “No, it’s really cute. I guess I have to have a really good attitude tomorrow. I can’t let her not like me anymore.
“I don’t know, it’s funny because I see her on the TV, and I was low-key like, ‘That’s my little twin’, because we both have our blue dresses and our buns and everything. Yeah, I’m really honoured. 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.”
Mboko is ranked 85th in the world but will climb much higher after her performances in Canada. That will provide a major boost ahead of the US Open. earlier this year, she reached the third round of the French Open and the second round of Wimbledon, having broken into the top 100 in June.
Overcoming a wrist injury suffered in the second game of the third set, Mboko sealed a dramatic 1-6 7-5 7-6 victory over Rybakina in the semi-final. “Incredible match, thank you to everyone for supporting me,” she told the crowd in French afterwards. “It was really difficult, but anything can happen.
“Playing in front of the home crowd, obviously, has its advantages. You always have everyone pumping you up as much as they can. It really pulls me through in the tough moments where I’m maybe not as positive. Really blessed to have that kind of support.
“She was playing really great tennis on top of that, but I’m happy that I kept my composure. I was patient in the right moments. I just feel really happy that I was able to bounce back after being down, even a match point.”