Serena Williams-Naomi Osaka match offers potential for intrigue

There once was a childlike assassin in women’s tennis. Her name was Monica Seles, and it was difficult to recall anyone quite like her.

On the court, unleashing wicked, two-handed rockets from both sides, she took the tour by storm, unfazed by the likes of Steffi Graf or Martina Navratilova and winning six of the eight major titles in 1991-92. After matches in the interview room, she disarmed everyone with delightful innocence and giggles, stunningly far removed from her sporting persona.

Naomi Osaka doesn’t have much in common with Seles, in background or in style, but she has that same remarkably unspoiled nature. At the U.S.