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Osaka holds python; hits with Murray in Brisbane

ByCody Fitzpatrick

Published Dec 27, 2018

It's become a time-honored tradition for tennis stars visiting Australia to take pictures with the local animals, and, ahead of Brisbane, it was Naomi Osaka's turn to pay the critters a visit.

The world No. 5 held a koala named Sprocket ...

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Fed a kangaroo ...

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And even let a python named Alinta wrap around her neck:

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Another fan of koalas is Jelena Ostapenko, who named them for the WTA as one of her favorite animals. She'll likely have to wait a little while longer to see one, though, as she's expected to start her season in Shenzhen, China.

Brisbane doesn't get underway until Dec. 31, but Osaka showed up early to practice, as did another US Open champion, Andy Murray.

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"Thanks for the hit today @naomiosakatennis," Murray wrote on Instagram. "I think you missed about 2 balls in 30 minutes...and also for the advice on Japanese."

Murray and Osaka will both be players to keep a close eye on this Australian swing.