Osaka, aged 28, boasts four Grand Slam titles, while Raducanu, recently celebrating her 23rd birthday, captured global attention in 2021 with her US Open victory as a qualifier.
Their paths finally crossed at the Washington Open in July, marking a long-awaited encounter.
Raducanu demonstrated her prowess against the former world number one, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory, marking one of her most significant achievements of the year.
Prior to their match, Osaka expressed her admiration for Raducanu, stating: “To me, she’s like royalty, she has a queen-like presence.
“I feel like whenever I see her or Serena, I feel like a kid again, because they were my favourite players growing up.”
It became apparent during that week that the two athletes were not well acquainted, having never engaged in a conversation before.
During the competition, Raducanu’s skill set took center stage.
“I had seen her play at Wimbledon, but I think it is a different experience to face someone in person than to watch them on television,” Osaka admitted after her loss.
“It was really valuable to experience her playing style. I hope I have the opportunity to play against her again in the future.”
Raducanu shared her positive assessment, saying: “I particularly enjoy these kinds of matches where you are competing against a top-tier opponent, and a lot of people are watching. I’m pleased with my performance against a four-time Grand Slam champion.”
Tennis has brought both players wealth and acclaim, but they have also faced challenges away from the court.
Both individuals have encountered difficulties related to their fame, with Raducanu experiencing stalking incidents, while Osaka has faced mental health challenges and took a break from the sport after an early exit at the 2021 US Open, the same event where Raducanu achieved her notable breakthrough.
