'Reminds me of Rafa': Naomi Osaka's 'superstitious' act stuns fans
Naomi Osaka was in good form on Day 1 of the Australian Open as she moved into the Second Round, but a quirky Rafael Nadal-like superstition caught the attention of fans.
The Japanese superstar delivered a mixed bag en route to a 6-3, 6-3 win over World No.50 Camila Osorio.
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With her ranking slipping to World No.14 after a tumultuous 2021, Osaka showed no signs of the abdominal injury that saw her withdraw from the semi-finals of a lead-up tournament 10 days ago.
However, early on during the match, fans noticed Osaka copy a Nadal-like mannerism at the back of the court.
Osaka was caught stepping over the 'Melbourne' sign behind the baseline.
However, she then seemed perturbed and retraced her steps with a bigger lunge over the sign.
While it is not unusual for tennis players, or athletes of any kind, to follow superstitions to keep them focused, many fans were taken aback having not noticed Osaka perform it before.
No that wasn't right. Sigh, gotta do it again.
Naomi Osaka | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/TzGjuyWOxL— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) January 17, 2022
Osaka stepping over the Melbourne sign @AustralianOpen We’ve all been there as pro-athletes, and had some kind of a superstition here or there, especially if it’s working 🤦🏻♀️🤣
— Alina Jidkova (@AlinaJidkova) January 17, 2022
Is it just me or is Osaka is refusing to step on the Melbourne sign behind the court? Taking huge steps over it, and if she accidentally steps on it she is going back to redo it?#AusOpen
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 17, 2022
It’s wild to see Osaka having OCD fits right there on the court during the Australian Open. Anyone else notice her carefully stepping and restepping over the Melbourne decal? #AustralianOpen2022 #AustralianOpen #Osaka
— Brian Valentine (@BrianValentine) January 17, 2022
@naomiosaka is superstitious #AusOpen
— ASHINZ£B 🇳🇬 (@AshizeBenco) January 17, 2022
I never noticed Osaka needing to step over the Melbourne sign.
— Luvly1 (@LuvlyDramaGurl) January 17, 2022
did Osaka really walk back over the MELBOURNE sign with a bigger stride just because the first stride wasn't "big" enough? DWL #AustralianOpen2022
— Tha Magnificent 'Droid (@ImmortalCritic) January 17, 2022
Not just you me too..reminding me of Rafa🤣🤗
— Mariana Errika Manessi (@_manessi) January 17, 2022
Nadal is the highest-profile tennis player who has become synonymous with his mannerisms on court.
Just some of the Spaniard's routines include setting up his water bottles in a specific manner and avoiding stepping on the baseline when walking past it.
Naomi Osaka advances at Australian Open
The four-time grand slam champion looked like she would make short work of Osorio, racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set on Rod Laver Arena.
But Osorio, who hadn't played since October, skipping the warm-up tournaments in Australia, started to find her rhythm.
The 20-year-old clawed her way back to 3-5 and then had two break points to get the match back on serve.
But Osaka steadied before sending down a big serve to wrap up the first set.
The former world No.1 then took advantage of a poor service game by Osorio to break for a 3-1 lead.
While the youngster, who is a former US Open junior champion, tried to stay in touch she was unable to peg back her rival.
Osaka herself has only played three matches since her third-round exit at the US Open, opting to take a mental break from tennis.
"I thought I played really well given the circumstances," Osaka said in an on court interview.
"I didn't really have that much information on my opponent and I thought she played amazing.
"She was fighting for every point and I think that's a really good quality so I'm sure we'll see her on this court pretty frequently."
with AAP
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