Aryna Sabalenka has ulterior motive in Naomi Osaka showdown as world No. 1 out for revenge | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka played one of the most exciting matches of the 2018 US Open in the fourth round. At the time, they were both just 20 years old, and neither woman had reached No. 1 in the world or won a Grand Slam title. Osaka got the better of Sabalenka and went on to lift her first of four Major trophies that fortnight. Now, they will meet again for the first time since that night in New York.

Almost eight years on, a lot has changed. Osaka took time away from the sport to give birth to her daughter, Shai, in 2023. Her comeback started to gain momentum last year, and she’s now back inside the world’s top 20. Sabalenka, meanwhile, is now the reigning No. 1 and a four-time Grand Slam champion too. But the Belarusian still has revenge on her mind.

Many see that US Open fourth-round clash, which Osaka won 6-3 2-6 6-4, as a sliding doors moment in tennis. What would have happened if Sabalenka came out on top, given that Osaka went on to win two straight Grand Slam titles after that? Regardless, both women have reached the pinnacle of the sport. And Sabalenka hopes she can flip the script when they meet in the fourth round of Indian Wells.

“Well, it would be for sure a fashion show at the beginning. Then a crazy match. She’s a great player. Came back after pregnancy. Incredible shape. I have been watching her matches, really admire her,” the top seed said of her next meeting with Osaka.

“I think we played only once, isn’t it? Probably I’ll have a chance to get a revenge, hopefully. I would like to play her.”

Sabalenka isn’t the only one who is excited for a long-awaited second meeting with Osaka. The current world No. 16 has also been looking forward to another chance to face the Belarusian since she became the world’s best player.

Looking ahead to their match, Osaka explained: “I mean, for me, it’s really exciting. I have watched her, I don’t want to say ‘grow over the years’, because I think she’s only a little bit younger than me, and I feel like an old person, but yeah, I have watched her grow over the years. Obviously, she’s so consistent, she’s the No. 1 player in the world and it’s, for me, very motivating. I’m excited to play her, and I’m looking forward to it a lot.

“I do remember it [the US Open match] just because I felt like in that tournament, that was the hardest match for me, and I remember thinking, like, we’re both going to get very far. So, yeah, obviously I was right. But yeah, no, it was definitely a really difficult match. It’s really cool to see how far we both have come.”

Sabalenka is still hunting a maiden title in Indian Wells. She’s reached the final twice, losing to Mirra Andreeva last year and Elena Rybakina in 2023. Osaka, meanwhile, won her maiden WTA Tour title here back in 2018, beating Daria Kasatkina in the final.