Naomi Osaka causes a sensation for the US Open – with their appearance, their emotions and, last but not least, their performance.
The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner Naomi Osaka clearly won the tennis star duel in the round of 16 of the US Open with Coco Gauff and has moved into the quarter-finals. In the round of the top 16 of the New York Grand Slam tournament, she prevailed 6: 3, 6: 2-and then reported that she also felt inspired by the young American.
Match from Gauff as inspiration
“I’m a bit emotional. I don’t want to cry. I had so much fun. I try to play with a laugh on my face”, ” said Osaka. The 27-year-old had become a mother two years ago and returned to the tour in 2024. “About two months after the birth of my daughter I was in the stands and looked at Coco. I really wanted to have the opportunity to play here again” the Japanese reported about the tournament edition 2023, in which Gauff had triumphed at the US Open.
Osaka with a number of plush figures
Osaka also causes a stir with her colorful outfits and her lubbus. At every press conferences, she takes out another version of the plush collector figures from China, this time a silver glittering. “Your name is Althea Glitterson”, she said with a smile. She alluded to Althea Gibson, who was the first black tennis player 75 years ago at one of the most important tournaments.
The week was very exhausting, said Gauff, who had come tears in the second round due to problems with the surcharge. Maybe she was a bit “empty”.
Gauff with many mistakes
In the round of 16, the numerous avoidable errors (33) of the French Open winner Gauff made the difference compared to Osaka (12). The world ranking in third was never found in her rhythm while Osaka played freely. After only 64 minutes, Osaka converted her first match ball, gauff hurried close to tears close to the square.
For the first time since her Australian Open victory in 2021, Osaka is back in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament. She had triumphed at the US Open in 2018 and 2020. Against the Czech Karolina Muchova, she now plays for a place in the semi -finals.
Osaka described Gauff as “little sister”
The duel with Gauff also attracted interest because it made headlines in 2019. At that time it was irrelevant that Osaka had also been clearly superior to the then 15 year old Gauff. Afterwards a lot of tears flowed. Osaka had comforted Gauff and asked her for a joint interview on the Center Court after the transformed match ball – instead of leading the interview alone as the winner.
It was definitely very special to have played against Gauff again in New York, said Osaka. “Being such a great role model at such a young age is a gift”said Osaka about Gauff (21), which she had previously called “little sister”.