"Don't know if we managed to look cool" - Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka poke fun at impromptu US Open photoshoot and their struggle to pick a pose
Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka recently shared a lighthearted moment during the US Open practice sessions. The players were seen struggling to find a pose while being clicked together at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Osaka and Swiatek both shared a bunch of pictures on Instagram, poking fun at their posing struggles. The Pole uploaded a picture with Osaka on her stories, where she had wrapped her hand around the latter's shoulder, writing:
"Hi @naomiosaka, I don't know if we managed to look cool."
Osaka reposted this story on her social media and replied:
"I like how we're looking at two completely different cameras💀😭😂"
The Japanese player shared another photo on her story where both players were trying to 'figure out' the pose.
"We were trying to figure out if sitting was better than standing for the photo," wrote Naomi Osaka.
She posted the same pictures to her Instagram account and wrote a cute note that said:
"The 2nd photos is us trying to figure out what pose we should do (I know my eyes are closed, I still think it's a cute pic."
Both players have a lot to look forward to in the final Slam of the year. Osaka has lifted the US Open trophy twice: 2018 and 2020. She first claimed the title by winning against Lesia Tsurenko in the final with a score of 6-1, 6-1. In her second win, the Japanese player bested Shelby Rogers to secure the final 6-3, 6-4.
Swiatek, on the other hand, won one US Open title in 2022, defeating Ons Jabeur 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).
Both players begin their US Open 2024 campaign on Tuesday, August 27. Osaka will be squaring off against Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, while Swiatek will begin her campaign against Kamilla Rakhimova.
Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka's clash at the French Open
Iga Swiatek, who won the French Open title in 2024, also squared off against Naomi Osaka en route to the title. The latter was back on the court after giving birth in 2023. The Pole defeated the Japanese player in the second round 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5.
After the match, Swiatek said in the on-court interview that she was able to thrive under the pressure. (as quoted by NBCSports.com)
"I felt for most of the match that I wasn’t really here and now,” Iga Swiatek said. “My mind was playing around sometimes. When I was really under this biggest pressure, I was able to actually focus more and play better and really not think about what the score is or that I’m really close to losing.”
Osaka revealed that she cried after the match but realized that it was her dream to compete against Swiatek.
"I cried when I got off the court, but then, for me, I kind of realized I was watching Iga win this tournament last year, and I was pregnant,” Osaka said. “It was just my dream to be able to play her. When I kind of think of it like that, I think I’m doing pretty well.”
Iga Swiatek and Noami Osaka hold a combined nine Grand Slam singles titles, of which the former has five and the latter has four.