Two queens faced each other in the 2021 Australian Open semifinals. Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, two women who are at the top of their sport went head-to-head for the first time after their (in)famous meeting at the US Open. Although, Williams’ quarterfinals struggled against her quarterfinals opponent Simona Halep, she did defeat her in the end: “I just realized I was making a lot of unforced errors in those games that I lost. And I knew that I had an opportunity to play better” and indeed that is what she did beating her 6-3, 6-3. This took Williams to the semifinals against Osaka. The question was, who would win? The Talented Osaka or the Legend Williams?
Since Osaka began to gain recognition, this was their fourth matchup and it predictably intense. Even fellow sport fans took to tweeting, most mentioning that Williams would win because she is a GOAT (greatest of all time) when it comes to tennis, while others rooted for Osaka, tennis’ princess. But many are also torn in-between both.
The support for both does not erase how much Serena Williams’ career has been characterized but Othering and discrimination as a Black woman in online environments. With Williams’ defeat, it remains to be seen whether Osaka will mark a new era. The question is, what is the extent of is passing of the baton?
Naomi A.O. Ogbogbo
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 