Naomi Osaka surprised everyone when she discovered, live and to general delight, that her advancement to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon granted her lifetime access to one of the most exclusive clubs in world tennis. After defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court, Osaka was informed during the press conference that she had become a member of the Last Eight Club, a tradition reserved for players who reach this stage of the tournament.
The reaction of the former world number one was, at the very least, hilarious and genuine. “Oh, wait, wait, because I thought you only got that little pin,” Osaka commented, visibly confused. “Can I practice here whenever I want? Is that one of the privileges?” The moment, captured live, quickly went viral, showing that even the biggest stars on the circuit may be unaware of some of Wimbledon’s most unique traditions. The victory over Sabalenka not only marked a milestone in the Japanese player’s career, with her first appearance in the quarter-finals of the British Grand Slam, but also opened the doors to lifetime benefits at the All England Club.
The Last Eight Club was established in 1986 specifically to recognize all tennis players who reach the quarter-finals in singles, the semi-finals in doubles, or the mixed doubles final. Membership is automatic and lifetime, guaranteeing access during the tournament for the player and one guest, passes for the main courts, and access to an exclusive hospitality area. This tradition is distinguished by recognizing not only champions but also all those who establish themselves among the elite of the competition.
Osaka's reaction revealed a curious lack of knowledge: “So you have to win to be a member?” she asked, before receiving confirmation from the journalist that reaching the quarter-finals was sufficient. “Okay. And is it free?” the Japanese player retorted, still incredulous. “Ah, that's cool. I think I'll Google what the privileges are,” she concluded, eliciting laughter in the room.
Shortly before this revelation, Osaka had delivered one of her best performances since returning to the top of tennis. Her victory over Sabalenka, by 6-2 and 7-6(2), ended the Belarusian's run as the number one seed and marked the first time Osaka had advanced beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon, after losing all three previous encounters against Sabalenka in 2026. This result also signified Sabalenka's earliest exit from a Grand Slam since Roland Garros 2022, and her first defeat in straight sets in 122 Grand Slam matches.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
In the end, Osaka revealed the special significance of this moment: “I haven't had this much fun on the court in a long time. Being able to do it here means a lot to me.” Now, the Japanese player will face Czech Karolina Muchova, the tenth seed, for a place in the semi-finals. Muchova, in turn, advanced after eliminating the defending champion, Barbora Krejcikova, ensuring that Wimbledon will see a new women's singles champion for the tenth consecutive edition.
AGORA PODE ACOMPANHAR O MUNDIAL DE FUTEBOL COM TODA INFORMAÇÃO – AQUI
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