Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said she felt comfortable being a role model for the next generation after her fourth Grand Slam victory solidified her position at the forefront of a new era for tennis. But the Japanese star, a four-time major-winner at the age of just 23, insisted America’s Serena Williams, 39, who has 23 Slam crowns, remains the face of the women’s game.

Osaka beat America’s Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open final on Saturday to win her fourth Slam from the last eight in which she has played, and extend her year-plus winning streak to 21 matches. She joins Monica Seles and Roger Federer in winning her first four major finals, and will move up to second in the world rankings.