Osaka needs work but would team with Nishikori at Olympics

World number one Naomi Osaka is ready to join Kei Nishikori for mixed doubles at the Tokyo Olympics, but first she needs to practice doubles for the first time ever.

Defending champion Osaka advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday by defeating Poland's Magda Linette 6-2, 6-4.

The 21-year-old Japanese star was asked after the match about Nishikori, a former US Open runner-up, saying he would see if she was interested in joining forces for mixed doubles at next year's Olympics.

Osaka, the reigning Australian Open champion also, is excited by the prospect, but also more than a bit intimidated.

"The thing is anyone that knows my doubles track record knows that I'm down," Osaka said.

"I would play. I would definitely play with him. I just, I would actually need to practice doubles for the first time in my life."
"I'm really grateful and I'm honestly really humbled by it, because I know as a kid I had my favorite players. They're kind of still playing right now. Yeah, it's crazy."
- Osaka's pal Kobe -
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I'm really grateful that I even have the opportunity to talk to him and stuff."