US Open is moving along, and I thought this from Naomi Osaka was pure class....
Naomi Osaka defeats Coco Gauff, two share post-game interview
World number one Naomi Osaka displayed the greatest act of sportsmanship following her match against teen sensation Coco Gauff
There wasn’t an empty seat inside Arthur Ashe stadium and in the end there wasn’t a dry eye either.
World number one and defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka got the better of 15-year-old sensation Coco Gauff in what turned out to be a one-sided match.
Osaka emerged victorious, claiming the 6-3, 6-0 victory but it was following the match where the real highlight emerged..
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Osaka approached her teenage opponent and invited her to do the post-game interview with her, a gesture Gauff initially rejected over fears she would “cry the whole way through”.
“No, you’re amazing. It’s better to do it here than going into the shower and crying,” Osaka responded.
The incredible moment was met with rapturous applause from the crowd and had fans on social media melting over the act from the world number one.
Naomi and Coco after their match.Source:Getty Images
“She (Osaka) told me that I did amazing and good luck and then she asked if I could do the on-court interview with her and I said no because I knew I was going to cry the whole time, but she encouraged me to do it,” Gauff said wiping away tears.
“She did amazing and I’m going to learn a lot from this match and she’s been so sweet to me so thank you for this.”
As she kicked off her interview, Osaka turned towards Gauff’s coaching box and displayed her class once again.
“You guys raised an amazing player, I remember I used to see you guys — I don’t want to cry — training in the same place as us. For me the fact that both of us made it and we’re both still working as hard as we can I think it’s incredible and I think you guys are amazing and I think Coco you’re amazing,” Osaka said.
The crowd applauded not only the beautiful moment between two of tennis’ stars but also the touching words from Osaka.
“After the match Naomi proved she is a true athlete,” Gauff said in the post-match press conference.
“For me a definition of an athlete is someone who treats you as their worst enemy on the court but after they treat you like you’re their best friend. That’s what she did.”
US Open Tennis
✔@usopen
https://twitter.com/usopen/status/1167968209334657024
A moment that transcends the sport...
#USOpen
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11:11 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Bonnie D. Ford
✔@Bonnie_D_Ford
https://twitter.com/Bonnie_D_Ford/status/1167956835787165696
Absolutely awesome sportswomanship.
#USOpen
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10:26 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Kedzie Teller
✔@Kedz
https://twitter.com/Kedz/status/1167957869565599744
That will go down as one of the most important and most iconic post-match moments in
#USOpen history. Thank you
@Naomi_Osaka_!
@CocoGauff
Can’t wait for years and years of battles - and friendship - between these two.
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10:30 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Mike Dickson
✔@Mike_Dickson_DM
https://twitter.com/Mike_Dickson_DM/status/1167956334915944449
Classy from Naomi Osaka, inviting an emotional Coco Gauff to do a joint interview.
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10:24 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Mark Gottlieb
✔@MarkGottliebFOX
https://twitter.com/MarkGottliebFOX/status/1167956354553638913
Absolute class from Osaka consoling a distraught Gauff on court after her straight sets win. What a great champion she is and a star of the future for the young American. We’re gonna see these two face off a lot
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10:24 AM - Sep 1, 2019 ·
Brisbane, Queensland
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Gillian Tan
✔@GillianTan
https://twitter.com/GillianTan/status/1167956589665349632
Sweet gesture by
@Naomi_Osaka_ asking Coco to stick around for the on-court interview
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10:25 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Joel Embiid
✔@JoelEmbiid
https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid/status/1167956329203290114
All good Coco!!! Keep working hard and come back stronger
#TrustTheProcess
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jodi gralnick
✔@jodigralnick
https://twitter.com/jodigralnick/status/1167957681811812355
Watching this
#USOpen post-game... I’m all-in on team
@Naomi_Osaka_ right now. What sn amazing example of sportsmanship and humanity.
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10:29 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Kobe Bryant
✔@kobebryant
https://twitter.com/kobebryant/status/1167957982174302210
Great match
@CocoGauff and
@Naomi_Osaka_ the future of the tennis is in great hands
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Reem Abulleil
✔@ReemAbulleil
https://twitter.com/ReemAbulleil/status/1167963949477683201
Tonight's moment between Osaka & Gauff is so iconic & we're gonna remember it for a long time. Osaka gave us a glimpse of what it means to her to witness Gauff's journey, how she relates it to her own, how they are both impacting so many people. It's all connected & lovely to see
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10:54 AM - Sep 1, 2019
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Osaka will now take on 13th seed Belinda Bencic in the fourth round after Bencic moved through following a retirement from Anett Kontaveit in the third round.