At the 2025 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka reveals a “Sushi” secret about her former teammate who is now Emma Raducanu’s ally.

At the 2025 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka reveals a “Sushi” secret about her former teammate who is now Emma Raducanu’s ally…

 

At the 2025 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka made a surprising revelation during an interview that left the tennis world buzzing. While discussing her comeback and her relationships with other players on tour, Osaka shared an amusing and heartwarming story about her former teammate, who is now known to be one of Emma Raducanu’s closest allies on the WTA circuit. The player in question? Belinda Bencic.

The revelation was tied to a lighthearted tradition the two shared during their time as doubles partners and close friends on the tour. Osaka humorously recalled how Bencic, despite her quiet and focused demeanor on court, had a surprising and playful side when it came to their off-court activities. According to Osaka, the two had developed a secret bonding ritual during their early days of forming a doubles partnership, one that revolved around their shared love of sushi.

Osaka explained that while training together in Tokyo, Bencic introduced her to a local sushi restaurant that served the most “exquisite, yet eccentric” sushi combinations. Bencic, with her refined taste, was known to experiment with unusual sushi rolls, combining different ingredients that most would never dare to put together. Osaka, initially hesitant, slowly warmed up to the idea. The two would sneak away from their rigorous training schedule to enjoy these sushi meals, bonding over the unexpected but delightful flavor combinations.

While the sushi secret had always been just a fun and lighthearted part of their friendship, Osaka’s comment took on a deeper meaning when she reflected on how Bencic had always supported her. “Belinda’s loyalty and sense of humor helped me through some of my toughest moments,” Osaka confessed. She further revealed that even though their professional paths had diverged—Bencic now being an integral part of Raducanu’s growing team—she still held a special place for her former teammate.

Osaka’s fondness for Bencic was evident, but it was the latter’s growing relationship with Emma Raducanu that had piqued the interest of fans. The dynamic between Raducanu and Bencic had evolved over the past year, with Bencic becoming a mentor-like figure in Raducanu’s camp. Emma, in turn, had been a source of inspiration for Bencic, with both players sharing a mutual respect for each other’s work ethic and tenacity.

In the interview, Osaka’s “sushi secret” became a symbol of the bonds that transcend competition on the court, reminding fans of the powerful friendships that can form behind the scenes in professional tennis.