Serena Williams has lost four straight major finals after capturing her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open.
Skeptics discounting the 38-year-old Williams' shot to win her 24th major title to equal Margaret Court's Grand Slam record are fooling themselves says Naomi Osaka.
Watch: Barty Earns WTA Player of the Year Honors
The Australian Open champion says it's "silly" to write off Serena.
I think it is silly to write Serena off,” Osaka told The Daily Telegraph's Matt Logue. “She went to the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. She is in the top 10 and she has played the least number of tournaments out of every player.
“Of course it is hard to compare because she has had a great career but I think people are being a bit hard on her. She isn’t just someone that you write-off.”
Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty won four titles becoming the first Aussie woman to finish as year-end No. 1 since Evonne Goolagong in 1976.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who has split four career meetings with Barty, has set her sights on regaining the top spot but says the Miami Open champion is a worthy world No. 1.
Osaka will tune up for her Australian Open title defense playing the Brisbane International set for January 6-12th.
“I’d love to be No.1 again but I think Ash deserves the spot right now,” said Osaka. “She has played an incredible year. She has won Grand Slams and multiple tournaments and the championship throughout the year.
“I know we are going to play more throughout our careers and I hope that is something that people look forward to.”
Photo credit: Miami Open