Seppe Cuypers, the Belgian sparring partner of winner Osaka in Melbourne: “For Naomi, ‘the sky is the limit’” | Tennis

Seppe Cuypers looked back at VTM Nieuws on Naomi Osaka’s victory at the Australian Open, with the final as the apotheosis. “A very exciting day, but one that I was really looking forward to. In the end, you worked very hard towards that day with the entire team. And if Naomi can eventually get that grand slam title, that is really the icing on the cake. We would of course have drunk a good glass of champagne on the victory ”, Cuypers clearly enjoyed.

Cuypers was not provided as a sparring partner for Osaka for the Australian Open, but the opportunity arose after practical problems with the Japanese’s regular training partner. “Also due to the quarantine measures in Melbourne, it was decided very last minute that I would still travel as a sparring partner. In itself it has been a really tremendous experience for me to travel with Naomi and her team and experience the experiences. That’s great to learn from. ”

Thanks to the adventure, Cuypers was able to get to know the rising star of women’s tennis a little better. “She’s a bit of a shy girl, but once you get to know them better, she’s super friendly. A very cool girl on and off the track. She really has respect for her team and her entourage. ”

“I think the sky is the limit for Naomi. If you are 23 years old and have four grand slam titles … For now she is playing very well and we try to continue that for the rest of the season. ”