"play (someone)" instead of "play with (someone)" or "play against (someone)" in sports

[takashi0930]

Naomi Osaka explains reason for U.S. Open semifinal win: 'I really want to play Serena'

Interviewer: 13 break points saved...How did you do that?
Osaka: I just really want to play Serena.

Is it common to say "play someone" instead of "play with someone" or "play against someone" in sports? Is there any difference among them in meaning?

 

[DonnyB]

Yes, you can use "play" transitively like that, with the name of your opponent or the opposing team as the object of the verb.

 

[takashi0930]

Thank you!

 

[sdgraham]

In tennis, if you said "play with [someone]," I would assume that he/she is your partner in doubles. (AE)

 

[dojibear]

In Osaka's sentence "play Serena" means "play against Serena".

 

[takashi0930]

I see. Thank you!

 

[sound shift]

In BrE at least, "play someone" is not confined to tennis or to individual opponents. It can be used for football (soccer), for example: "Manchester United play Derby County next week". I'm not sure that AmE uses just "play" for teams.