Just days after winning her fourth Grand Slam title, Naomi Osaka has taken the time to reflect on her huge impact at the 2021 Australian Open. The 23-year-old defeated Jennifer Brady in America at the Rod Laver Arena Saturday in sets just to clinch his second Grand Slam Down Under title, after his 2019 success. And Osaka went on to surprise the 16-year-old ballgirl on social media.
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Ball Naomi Osaka: Australia’s 2021 Open winner sends a sweet message to ballgirl
Naomi Osaka took to Twitter on Thursday to send some love back to the Australian Open ballgirl. Looking back at images from the Grand Slam tournament, the 23-year-old noticed a ball girl in the background of a photo taken at the final in Melbourne Park. The ballgirl, dressed in green and a blue hat, was kneeling down in the photo as she looked up at a Japanese tennis champion, whose hands and racket were in the air in celebration of the women’s singles final.
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The Sun Herald she named ballgirl Marle van der Merwe, who became acquainted with Osaka’s tweet at lunchtime at Berwick College when her mother posted the link to her. Marle told the newspaper that the role was very special for her and that no player will ever do that. The 16-year-old said she was shocked when she saw the picture and revealed that the picture would now almost certainly take place on the wall of her bedroom. Watching the 2016 Australia finals inspired her to try out as a child ball, and Marle has been working at the event every year since. She had her swansong last year, after reaching the age limit of 15, but coronavirus gave her a second chance as the organizers could not train new ball children.
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Naomi Osaka, who finished third in the world, defeated Jennifer Brady ‘s No. 22 seed in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, in the women’ s final. The 23-year-old climbed to second place in the WTA Singles rankings and became the third player in the Open Era to win the first four finals of the Grand Slam, alongside Roger Federer and Monica Seles. After her win, Osaka took time to do the usual sign spree while spectators hung over the wall to rebuild clothes, merchandise and tennis balls. The Australian Open winner has hoped that her fourth Grand Slam win is an inspiration to Japanese fans, as she also votes to give her best at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
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