--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even when I was a little kid, I always…" description: "\"Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.\" — Naomi Osaka" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg" --- # Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I… ![“Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.” quote by Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg) > “Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.” [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She expresses early childhood aspiration to become a Grand Slam champion, highlighting ambition and role models. **In simple terms:** Kid dreamed of winning a major tennis title. Key Takeaway Pursue your dream despite age. Themes ambition role models sports dreams Mood determined hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - youth sports programs - career planning - personal motivation Key Concepts goal setting identity formation inspiration Questions to Reflect On - What concrete steps can you take now toward your goal? - How do role models shape your ambitions? A Different Perspective Dreams may overlook practical steps needed to achieve them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Grand slam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grand-slam/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) ## Related quotes > [To play against Serena in a final is something special. You know you must play your best tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelique-kerber/to-play-against-serena-in-a-final-is-something-special-you-know-you/) [Angelique Kerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelique-kerber/) > [If you want to win a Grand Slam, when you dream, you say, 'I want Serena in the final.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garbine-muguruza/if-you-want-to-win-a-grand-slam-when-you-dream-you-say-i-want-serena/) [Garbine Muguruza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garbine-muguruza/) > [I never, ever dreamed that I'd play in the NFL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weddle/i-never-ever-dreamed-that-i-d-play-in-the-nfl/) [Eric Weddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weddle/) > [So many players play Serena Williams, and so many players may catch her on a bad day, but she finds a way. She finds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-bryant/so-many-players-play-serena-williams-and-so-many-players-may-catch/) [Howard Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-bryant/) > [It's unbelievable. To be in the semis, it's just crazy. To play Serena it will be a great match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-bertens/it-s-unbelievable-to-be-in-the-semis-it-s-just-crazy-to-play-serena/) [Kiki Bertens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-bertens/) > [I really did want to play Serena before she retired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajla-tomljanovic/i-really-did-want-to-play-serena-before-she-retired/) [Ajla Tomljanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajla-tomljanovic/) > [I always say that I want to play Serena Williams if they ever did a biopic of hers. I definitely want to do that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-erivo/i-always-say-that-i-want-to-play-serena-williams-if-they-ever-did-a/) [Cynthia Erivo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-erivo/) > [I've been there, done that. I know what the emotions are getting into your first Grand Slam final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-kenin/i-ve-been-there-done-that-i-know-what-the-emotions-are-getting-into/) [Sofia Kenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-kenin/) > [Reaching my first grand slam final was amazing, and I didn't expect it at just 19 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-wozniacki/reaching-my-first-grand-slam-final-was-amazing-and-i-didn-t-expect-it/) [Caroline Wozniacki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-wozniacki/) > [This is a dream from when I was kid. I'm playing tennis almost 18 years, and of course everybody's dream is to play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnieszka-radwanska/this-is-a-dream-from-when-i-was-kid-i-m-playing-tennis-almost-18/) [Agnieszka Radwanska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnieszka-radwanska/) > [This will be my first Grand Slam final without Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic on the other side of the net, but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/this-will-be-my-first-grand-slam-final-without-roger-federer-or-novak/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [It's not easy getting to a Grand Slam final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-kenin/it-s-not-easy-getting-to-a-grand-slam-final/) [Sofia Kenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-kenin/) > [A final of a grand slam is always a matter of details. Maybe a point here, a point there will make the difference. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabine-lisicki/a-final-of-a-grand-slam-is-always-a-matter-of-details-maybe-a-point/) [Sabine Lisicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabine-lisicki/) > [Every match I won in a Grand Slam, I take confidence of that, and when I arrive in a final, I know my game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-wawrinka/every-match-i-won-in-a-grand-slam-i-take-confidence-of-that-and-when/) [Stan Wawrinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-wawrinka/) > [I got to one Grand Slam final, and that's what you shoot for as a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-shriver/i-got-to-one-grand-slam-final-and-that-s-what-you-shoot-for-as-a/) [Pam Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-shriver/) ## More by Naomi Osaka > [I get that I'm tan, and I would stand out a little bit in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-get-that-i-m-tan-and-i-would-stand-out-a-little-bit-in-japan/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [For me, I do better in Grand Slams. I like when there's more people watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/for-me-i-do-better-in-grand-slams-i-like-when-there-s-more-people/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [For me, every practice and match I've played, it feels like the year is short and long at the same time. I'm aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/for-me-every-practice-and-match-i-ve-played-it-feels-like-the-year-is/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [Every time I have a dream, somehow I accomplish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/every-time-i-have-a-dream-somehow-i-accomplish-it/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I guess I tell jokes a lot, but I'm not really that sure because sometimes they don't laugh, and they just stare at me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-guess-i-tell-jokes-a-lot-but-i-m-not-really-that-sure-because/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [Sorry, public speaking isn't really my strong side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/sorry-public-speaking-isn-t-really-my-strong-side/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I don't know if anybody knows this, but Serena's my favorite player. Just playing against her is kind of like a dream for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-don-t-know-if-anybody-knows-this-but-serena-s-my-favorite-player/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [You can easily get depressed. Usually, if you play sports, you think that one match or one game is very important, and when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/you-can-easily-get-depressed-usually-if-you-play-sports-you-think/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [For me, as long as my family's happy, I'm happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/for-me-as-long-as-my-family-s-happy-i-m-happy/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I feel like I'm a child of the Internet, and the Internet has raised me, and its jokes might not be appropriate at certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-feel-like-i-m-a-child-of-the-internet-and-the-internet-has-raised/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I don't necessarily feel like I'm American. I wouldn't know what that feels like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-don-t-necessarily-feel-like-i-m-american-i-wouldn-t-know-what-that/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [This is going to sound weird, but I never went to normal school; I went to online school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/this-is-going-to-sound-weird-but-i-never-went-to-normal-school-i-went/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I was born in Osaka. I came to New York when I was three. I moved from New York to Florida when I was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-was-born-in-osaka-i-came-to-new-york-when-i-was-three-i-moved-from/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [For me, grand slams are something you dream about playing as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/for-me-grand-slams-are-something-you-dream-about-playing-as-a-kid/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I think everybody who sees me would think that I'm really scary or something. But I'm not!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/i-think-everybody-who-sees-me-would-think-that-i-m-really-scary-or/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) [Explore all 56 Naomi Osaka quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Naomi Osaka" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dreamed-that-i-would-play/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dreamed-that-i-would-play/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/naomi-osaka-12138_always_even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dr_336290.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.” — Naomi Osaka", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Naomi Osaka", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Even when I was a little...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dreamed-that-i-would-play/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/even-when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-always-dreamed-that-i-would-play/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```