WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu revealed she was a fan of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka even before they became friends and ambassadors for sports drink company Bodyarmor.
Recently, Ionescu and Osaka teamed up for a Bodyarmor commercial.
Once Ionescu and Osaka got to know each other better, they realized how similar they were.
“I was always a huge fan of Naomi [Osaka] before, and obviously now being on the same team with Bodyarmor, there’s this understanding that we’re both representing something bigger than ourselves and a brand,” Ionescu told Business Insider. “And so being able to shoot [a commercial] with her, we did form a friendship that’s now lasted through the last couple years.”
Ionescu a big Osaka fan
Ionescu regularly follows Osaka’s matches and often texts with the Japanese tennis star.
“I watch her matches and cheer her on and we talk, whether it’s on social media or text here and there,” Ionescu said. “But I think [we’re] always supporting each other and just rooting for each other and hoping for the best and success.”
Ionescu certainly enjoyed Osaka’s run in Miami as the Japanese collected a couple of notable wins to reach her first final since winning the 2021 Australian Open.
Osaka was playing great in Miami but even she didn’t have an answer for Iga Swiatek in the final as the Pole won in straight sets.
Osaka, who was ranked around No. 80 before improving to No. 35, revealed after Miami her goal is to return to the world No. 1.
“I think by next year or by the end of this year, I would love to be Top 10,” Osaka said after finishing runner-up in Miami. “By next year I would love to be the No.1. “Oh, that’s a big statement. Erase that. Top 5. You know what? I’m going to set that goal. Top 1, yeah. No.1.”