Last Tuesday, Naomi Osaka revealed her on-court outfit for her run at Roland-Garros, and Aryna Sabalenka’s live reaction was caught on TNT.
“I love it,” Sabalenka said. “I love that she’s expressing herself. She feels confident, and that’s the beauty of the fashion world. There’s space for anything, and I love that she’s bringing it on court. I love to see fashion on court.”
No. 1-ranked Sabalenka doesn’t want No. 16-ranked Osaka to feel too confident during their fourth-round match. Osaka and Sabalenka are both vying for their first career French Open title, and only one will still have a chance at it after Monday.
Sabalenka defeated Daria Kasatkina, and Osaka defeated Iva Jovic in the third round on Saturday. Afterward, Osaka was surprised to learn she’ll face Sabalenka next.
Monday will mark the third time this calendar year that Osaka and Sabalenka face off, with Sabalenka getting the best of Osaka at Indian Wells and the Madrid Open. When asked what Osaka would apply from those losses to Monday’s rematch, Osaka shrugged.
“I don’t really know,” Osaka said. “I didn’t know that, so [laughs], I don’t know. YOLO. Like, whatever.”
Give her the trophy right now for that response alone.
“I feel like I played a pretty good match in Madrid,” Osaka continued. “I think I just dipped in the second and third sets, so hopefully, just keep the consistency and keep trying to be aggressive. Whatever happens, happens.”
Sabalenka, meanwhile, said during her post-match presser that she also felt like they had a “tight match” in Madrid and complimented Osaka’s level of play. I’m just ready for the fight,” she said. “I’m ready to go out there, to fight for that match, for the win, and ready to do anything it takes to get the win.”
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