Naomi Osaka Calls Venus Williams 'Inspiring' Ahead of Historic Return at 2025 US Open

Naomi Osaka loves seeing Venus Williams in the women's singles tournament at the 2025 U.S. Open.

"It's just really, I would say, inspiring," Osaka said, per the Associated Press' Howard Fendrich. "My only thing is: I don't really like how every headline mentions her age. ... We all know how old she is. But it's kind of more the broader (significance) — how much of a legend she is in this sport."

Frances Tiafoe also called Williams "one of the best athletes of all time."

"Her and her sister, they're not only great for the women's game, not only great for women's sports, but they are so iconic," he said.

Williams received a wild card to compete in New York. She returned to action in July at the DC Open, beating Peyton Stearns in the first round before losing to fifth-seeded Magdalena Fręch. She also made the trip to Southwestern Ohio, dropping her first-round match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the Cincinnati Open.

While Williams' legendary status and two U.S. Open titles helped her get a spot in the women's singles field, she wasn't afforded any favors in terms of the draw. She meets No. 11 Karolína Muchová, a semifinalist in 2023 and 2024, in the first round.

The odds of Osaka and Williams crossing paths at Flushing Meadows are low since they'd both need to advance to the quarterfinals.

Osaka might hold up her end of the bargain. The four-time Grand Slam champion might be finding her groove again after reaching the final of the National Bank Open.

The 2017 U.S. Open is the last time Williams got to the quarters of any Grand Slam event, though.

For tennis fans, simply seeing the 45-year-old enjoy one more Open run is more than enough.