Defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka - 'I think New York is home'
As she returns to the scene of her first Grand Slam win, World No.1 Naomi Osaka has spoken about her love for New York City - and the woman she beat to win the 2018 US Open, Serena Williams.
"I think New York is home," the 21-year-old said in an interview with CBS. "Whenever I come back I feel instantly comfortable."
LOOK: American ascendancy - 20 years of US Open champions
She also talked about achieving her childhood ambitions of winning tournaments and reaching the pinnacle of the rankings, saying: "It's always been a dream. We want to win Grand Slams, we want to be No.1."
The 139th @USOpen starts in New York City next week and @Naomi_Osaka_, one of the biggest names in tennis, will be there to defend her title. At 21 years old, she is the second highest-paid female athlete in the world, according to Forbes. @vladduthiersCBS sat down with Osaka: pic.twitter.com/rdwqkxx4hE
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 23, 2019
She looked back on her triumph in Flushing Meadows last year - and admitted that she is still too shy to talk to Serena Williams, who is one of her idols.
"I have this huge respect for her," she said, before adding: "I don't say hi to her or anything - I get so nervous!"
Top seed Osaka begins her US Open campaign this year against Anna Blinkova of Russia on Tuesday.