An ebullient personality while simultaneously a gritty, passionate competitor, Camila Osorio made her presence felt in 2021.
The Colombian was one of six teenagers ending the season inside the top 100 — she turned 20 in December — and peaked at world No.53 in October after being ranked 187th just seven months earlier.
On court
Her rapid ascent was helped by a first career WTA title on home soil in Bogota in April 2021.
She then stretched her winning streak to eight matches by reaching the Charleston semifinals, and by the time she qualified for Wimbledon and made the third round — her best Slam result to date — she’d built a 21-5 win-loss record in three months.
In that same timeframe, she slashed her ranking by 100 places and was now more regularly enjoying direct entry into tournaments.
One of those was Tenerife in October, where she stunned top seed Elina Svitolina in the first round before going on to reach her second WTA final.
While her rise was eye-catching — especially given she was barely inside the top 200 earlier in the year — it was hardly surprising; Osorio’s talent was obvious when she won the US Open girls’ singles title in 2019 to attain the world No.1 junior ranking.
However, a notable moment occurred in April that assisted her in making the significant leap to elite-level pro.
“It’s all the work built up over years but also something changed just before Bogota. (Former top-20 star and countrywoman) Fabiola Zuluaga spoke to me and gave me the advice to always believe in myself,” Osorio revealed, a day before qualifying for her first Grand Slam main draw at Roland Garros.
“I just kept that conversation in the back of my mind and that’s been the difference recently, knowing I can compete at this stage.”
Notable stat
Osorio became further connected to Zuluaga by equalling the best ever win by a Colombian player in terms of opponent’s ranking.
Osorio’s defeat of then-No.6 Svitolina in Tenerife matched Zuluaga’s feat of upsetting sixth-ranked Nathalie Tauziat in Rome 21 years earlier.
X-factor
Osorio is captivating to watch because of the obvious joy she derives from competing.
At just 162cm tall, she battles tirelessly, extending points with her consistency and impressive footspeed. But she still knows when to inject aggression and pace, emotively celebrating winners.
Even when she’s losing, she’s enjoying her time on court; trailing Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 4-1 in the Wimbledon third round, she narrowly avoided a shot blasted at her head and responded by laughing.
With her intense competitiveness comes a warmth and respect for opponents.
Tough moment as Clara Tauson has to retire with a knee injury in Charleston, but love the kindness from Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, who consoles her.
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) April 16, 2021
The Colombian goes into the semis with an 8th consecutive win. pic.twitter.com/CLVWM8AvUd
She frequently shares hugs and smiles with fellow players after matches — win or lose — and was commended for her sportsmanship when comforting injured opponent Clara Tauson after their Charleston quarterfinal was cut short.
Off court
Known as “Cami” to those close to her, her full name is Maria Camila Osorio Serrano — which she shortened to Camila Osorio in 2021.
Like many professional players she comes from a sporting family; her grandfather represented Colombia at the 1962 World Cup, her father and brother also both played football professionally, and her mother was a professional basketballer.
Roger Federer inspired her to start playing and she developed her game in Florida after leaving Colombia at age 11.
“He is my idol. I looked for him in Wimbledon. One day I saw him, and I cried,” Osorio said of Federer. “I took two pictures with him. In one of them, I still have tears on my face!”
She said…
On competing: "I feel so different when I'm on court than when I'm outside it. Off the court I'm always smiling, always enjoying everything. Also in tennis, but when I play I just like to compete. I love to yell every point, I love to fight and of course to win."
On playing on grass: “I don’t even know what I’m doing, I’m just playing (laughter). But I feel I’m doing great, I’m enjoying every point that I’m playing. It’s different but sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone so you can be a champion."