Naomi Osaka's 'majestic' moment with butterfly melts hearts
Naomi Osaka is a fan favourite pretty much wherever she plays tennis but the Japanese star's latest admirer has sent the internet into a spin.
Osaka booked a date with 2020 Australian Open runner-up Garbine Muguruza in the last 16 after a clinical straight sets win on Friday afternoon.
The third seed, champion in Melbourne two years ago, closed out an easy 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tunisian 27th seed Ons Jabeur in 1-hour and 18-minutes on John Cain Arena.
BARTY WORRIES: World No.1's withdrawal fuels Aus Open injury fears
CROWD CONCERN: Kyrgios at centre of quirky VIC lockdown question
'OH MY GOD': Australian Open interview angers tennis world
While the 23-year-old's victory left her legion of fans delighted, it was a wonderful mid-match moment with a butterfly that stole the show.
Play was momentarily halted in the second set when the winged insect decided that it wanted to get upon close and personal with Osaka.
Someone in the crowd could be heard yelling out that there was a butterfly on Osaka's legs before she got ready to serve.
Showing her famously gentle and thoughtful nature, Osaka proceeded to carry the insect to the side of the court, before placing it gently on a towel.
However, the butterfly had other ideas and flew straight onto Osaka's nose, before nestling itself on the cheek of the three-time major winner.
The magical moment melted the hearts of viewers on social media, with many gushing at how fitting it was to happen to Osaka.
Naomi Osaka is officially blessed by butterflies.
— Dave Hogg (@stareagle) February 12, 2021
If you're ever feeling sad please enjoy Naomi Osaka with a butterfly on her nose pic.twitter.com/2bZViMNE1c
— Kelly 🕷📚 (@garfydaya) February 12, 2021
Naomi Osaka and the Butterfly coming to theatres 2021. 🦋
Nice win, champ. Nice moment with the butterfly. 🌈@AustralianOpen #AusOpen @naomiosaka— Mel Barrett🏳️🌈 (she/her/they) (@melrevision) February 12, 2021
There is just something so majestic and precious about that butterfly falling on Naomi Osaka’s nose.
— 🌻hoecialist🌻 (@maritzagisele) February 12, 2021
Blessed by a butterfly, stings like a bee.
NAOMI OSAKA into the 4th round.— Nikita (@kryptobanana) February 12, 2021
@bgtennisnation the butterfly landing on Double Osaka was truly majestic
— Landon DeBoer (@landon_deboer) February 12, 2021
Lol I've been waiting for this.
Even the butterflies in Australia love Osaka. ❤️❤️❤️ #AusOpen https://t.co/7CHGcWGkj3— KingDavid Onyeka (@KingDavid_d1st) February 12, 2021
This is so fitting for Osaka. Her power on court is mighty and her spirit is so sweet!🦋 https://t.co/hDbB7MFfzW
— liselle miller 😷 (@lisellemybell) February 12, 2021
Japanese star in ominous form
Osaka, who has dropped just 13 games in her opening three matches, is great friends with Jabeur and said playing against her on John Cain Arena was "really fun".
"I was really nervous and scared because I didn't know if she was gonna hit a drop shot on me, so I felt kind of rushed," Osaka said.
She also thanked the fans for attending on the day it was announced that Melbourne would go into five days' lockdown from midnight, meaning stands will be empty from Saturday.
"I hope that you guys enjoyed the match and thanks for coming out today."
Australian Open organisers announced Friday that players would compete in a biosecure "bubble" after the host city was ordered into a snap five-day lockdown, with spectators banned.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Muguruza, who lost in the final to Sofia Kenin a year ago, earlier beat Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas 6-1, 6-1 in just 56 minutes to set up the fourth-round clash with Osaka.
with agencies
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
