Osorio Serrano dreams of reaching the top
Colombia’s Maria Camila Osorio Serrano is only just making the transition from Juniors to professional tennis but that hasn’t stopped the 2019 Junior US Open champion from dreaming big.
In an extended interview with @FedCup_es on Instagram earlier this month, Osorio Serrano spoke openly about her memories of Junior tennis and her ambition for the future.
The Colombian, who broke through to a career-high WTA ranking of No. 184 after winning two ITF World Tennis Tour W25 titles in 2019 said: “I’m more confident after improving my ranking. 2019 was a very good season. I’m a professional player now, something I’ve been working for since the age of six.
“I’d love to be the No. 1 player in the world.”
The 18-year-old comes from a sporting family. Her grandfather, Rolando, was a football player who competed for Colombia in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. Her mother was a basketball player and her father was a football player. Even her brother, Juan Sebastian, is following in the family footballing steps.
Despite being exposed to top-flight sport from a young age that didn’t stop Osorio Serrano from being starstruck when she met Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2019.
“He is my idol,” she said. “I looked for him in Wimbledon. One day I saw him, and I cried. I took two pictures with him. In one of them, I still have tears on my face!”
Osorio Serrano might be looking to her future but her immediate past on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors circuit is one littered with accolades.
She won the 2019 US Open, defeating Alexandra Yepifanova 6-1 6-0 – something she described as “pure happiness”.
“We were presented at the Arthur Ashe [Stadium] before the Nadal v Medvedev final,” she said. “Everyone applauded at us. It was divine, the best moment ever! In the future, I wish I could play at that gigantic venue.”
But it was the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires that Osorio Serrano will hold close to her heart.
She explained: “No doubt, that was the best experience I had as a Junior player. The tournament was special and very beautiful. To share all the moments with other athletes and to talk to them it will be unforgettable. I had so much fun at the Olympic village.”
And she is no stranger to representing her country, being the youngest Colombian player to compete in Fed Cup by BNP Paribas aged just 14 years, one month and 12 days.
“It was incredible,” she said. “I remember it very well. I was very young and very happy to be there. The ties were in Bolivia and I won against Camila Giangreco from Paraguay.
“I love playing for Colombia. Every single tie is special. I hope we can play the Finals one day.”