Naomi Osaka ended fan-favorite Coco Gauff’s run at the US Open on Saturday, but the Japanese-born player won over fans with her classy gesture after the match.
Osaka, who won the tournament last year by beating Serena Williams in a controversial finals match, steamrolled Gauff 6-3, 6-0 in one hour and five minutes to advance to the fourth round.
Gauff, who is just 15, was making her Arthur Ashe Stadium debut in front of a sold-out crowd. Getting trounced had to have been disappointing, even if it came at the hands of the No. 1-ranked woman in the world. Gauff was somewhat tearful after the match, so Osaka went to speak with her and give her a pep talk. Osaka encouraged Gauff to join her for a post-match interview that way she could get the adulation from the fans that she deserved before exiting the court.
Gauff could be heard declining because she thought she would cry. Osaka encouraged her in response.
@Naomi_Osaka_ | @CocoGauff#USOpen pic.twitter.com/ouVQenQki6
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2019
Gauff ended up speaking with ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez on the court for an interview:
Since I’m on the feels beat tonight — this was wonderful between Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka pic.twitter.com/8ly8AhTJ7h
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) September 1, 2019
The gesture and class displayed by Osaka was well-received by the tennis and sports community at large.
This support is what tennis should be about well done @Naomi_Osaka_ @CocoGauff https://t.co/irFvpKLdLe
— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) September 1, 2019
Congratulations to @Naomi_Osaka_, who showed greatness on and off the court. @CocoGauff now knows what she needs to do to get to No. 1. How fortunate we all are to have witnessed the dawning of a new era in women’s tennis. #USOpen
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 1, 2019
Great match @CocoGauff and @Naomi_Osaka_ the future of the tennis is in great hands #USOpen
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 1, 2019
Amazing stuff from both Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka. This is the future , it is here and what great sports these two players are!!! #USOpen2019
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 1, 2019
