Footage has emerged on social media of Naomi Osaka meeting her idol Serena Williams at the Silicon Valley Classic (previously known as the Bank of the West Classic) in 2014.
Osaka also made her WTA Tour debut at the tournament eight years ago as a 16-year-old. In her first WTA Tour main draw match, she upset the 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.
The Japanese star lost heavily in the following round to the German Andrea Petkovic. However, those matches are not what attracted attention in a recent video shared by the tournament's Twitter page.
Williams was also playing at that year's Silicon Valley Classic. In fact, the 40-year-old secured the title in California. She defeated Petkovic in the final, who had beaten both Osaka and Venus Williams on her way to that stage.
The former world No. 1 and legend of the sport manages fans wanting her attention at every tournament she plays, but she may have been surprised by one of her most ardent fans being a fellow player in the draw.
The Silicon Valley Classic's Twitter page posted a short video of Williams taking a photo with Osaka using her phone. Osaka looked quite nervous but also happy to meet her idol, who was clearly friendly in their exchange.
Williams could never have predicted she would meet Osaka just four years later in the US Open final. It was also one of the most controversial finals ever at Flushing Meadows after the American was docked a game for three code violations by umpire Carlos Ramos.
Osaka claimed the first of her four Grand Slam titles by beating Williams 6-2, 6-4. Unfortunately, her outstanding performance was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Williams and the umpire.
It is startling to see Osaka being a fangirl years before their US Open final. Osaka's development during her teenage years to win a Grand Slam at 20 was incredible.
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