When Sabalenka and Osaka first faced each other almost eight years ago in New York, they were both 20 years old and quickly rising through the ranks.
Both players said the fourth round match, which Japan’s Osaka won 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, was a turning point in their careers.
“I felt like we were both representatives of the future, the next generation,” said Sabalenko, who took first place.
“When she won that match, I had a feeling she was going to win a Grand Slam.”
The Belarusian, who was defeated in the decisive game, turned out to be right. Five days later, Osaka beat Serena Williams to become the first Japanese player to win a major title.
Over the next 28 months, Osaka won three more Grand Slam titles. Sabalenka did not claim anything.
But their careers soon took different paths.
Osaka briefly stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritize her mental health and then took 15 months of maternity leave with her daughter Shai, who was born in July 2023.
While Osaka was away, Sabalenka finally had her breakthrough moment, winning the 2023 Australian Open to claim her first Grand Slam title.
“Obviously (we have) a different story,” Sabalenka said after her third-round win over Jelena Ostapenko.
“She’s been through different things. I’ve been through different things. I feel like we were both completely different players and people.”