When I spoke to Naomi Osaka in Dubai three months ago about taking part in Kei Nishikori’s exhibition end of last year in Japan and whether she felt her popularity was rising there, she laughed.
“Well I mean it’s Kei, like come on, everyone is there for Kei. I feel like background character number one,” Osaka said in typical self-deprecating, sarcastic fashion.
The world No. 21 often describes herself as shy but she’s been slowly coming out of her shell, making friends on tour and interacting with more tennis players.
Recently, she had dinner with Nishikori – who is a superstar back home – and fellow Japanese player Miyu Kato.
Ernests Gulbis interview: Latvian happy to fly solo as he looks to end career on his own terms
“I had dinner with Kei and Miyu Kato. And basically, it was them trying to talk to me. And I’m just giving like the one-word replies,” said the 21-year-old Osaka.
“But, to be fair, okay, in Madrid, the dinner starts really late. And I’m an early sleeper, so I was like sleepy halfway through the dinner. And so I was like (demonstrating falling asleep), and they were trying to talk.
“I went with my physio, and she was like poking me and was like, ‘Wake up!’
“I think Kei probably has like a really weird impression of me.”
Does she feel she is friends with Nishikori now?
“I want to feel like I’m friends with Kei. I’m not really sure if he thinks I’m his friend,” she responded. “He’s a really, really nice guy. It really surprises me how nice he is.”
The physios of Osaka and Nishikori set up the dinner but sadly she doesn’t think there’s be a repeat hang-out.
“It’s probably never going to happen again. Because that was just so embarrassing,” she concluded.
Dinner with @Naomi_Osaka_ and @keinishikori last night🍴🌙 pic.twitter.com/TsiWTCUoSD
— Miyu Kato / 加藤 未唯 (@miyukato1121) May 4, 2018
Things continued to get hilarious in the press conference room when Dominic Thiem walked in on Tuesday.
The No. 6 seed, who is currently dating French WTA player Kristina Mladenovic (nicknamed Kiki), has been friends with Latvian Ernests Gulbis for years, as they both spend a significant time training at the same place in Austria.
The following conversation took place in Thiem’s pre-tournament press conference:
Question: Your relationship with Gulbis, is it still open? You still have connection with him?
Thiem: I’m in relationship now with Kiki. I finished with Gulbis and signed with Kiki.
No, it’s – yeah, he’s in Vienna practicing. So, when I’m there and he’s there, we see each other every day. Actually, before clay court season, we practiced together for two weeks. And he’s playing well in practice, playing good.
For him, as well, there was a lot of change. He’s a father now so that’s, for sure, a big change for him. But in general, we still have a good relationship. And I hope that he still can come back.
First Valentinesday of many with you ❤️ #jetaimetellement #forgood #frombuenosairestodoha
A post shared by Dominic Thiem (@domithiem) on
