Naomi Osaka defeated 15-year-old American Coco Gauff 6-3 6-0 in the third round of the US Open.
Naomi Osaka defeated 15-year-old American Coco Gauff 6-3 6-0 in the third round of the US Open.
The defending champion did win the match but also won hearts all over again for her gesture towards her young opponent.
Osaka was seen consoling Gauff after beating her. "She was crying, she won. I was crying. Everybody was crying!" said Gauff. "I didn't know why she was crying. I was like, 'you won the match!'"
Osaka even invited a tearful Gauff to speak to the crowd in a post-match interview.
"I was wanting to leave the court because I'm not the type of person who wants to cry in front of everyone. I didn't want to take that moment away from her, as well," said Gauff, competing in only her second Grand Slam singles main draw.
"She told me it's better than crying in the shower. She convinced me multiple times to stay. I kept saying no. Finally I said, OK, I'll do it. Because I didn't know what to do.
"I'm happy that she kind of convinced me to do it because, I mean, I'm not used to crying in front of everyone."
The Japanese world number one was herself holding back tears when she spoke directly to Gauff's box, before apologising for playing so well.
"You guys raised an amazing player," said Osaka. "I used to see you guys training in the same place as us. Both of us made it and are working as hard as we can. I think this is the most focused I have been since Australia".
Turning to Gauff, she added: "I am sorry for playing you in this mentality. It was super fun!"
Later in the press conference, Osaka said, "It was kind of instinctive because when I shook her hand, I saw that she was kind of tearing up a little. Then it reminded me how young she was.
"I was just thinking it would be nice for her to address the people that came and watched her play. They were cheering for her."
Gauff also said that she did not expect such a reaction from Osaka.
"I'm glad that I was able to experience that moment," she said. "I'm glad the crowd was kind of helping me and her.
"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.
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 "Naomi Osaka consoles Coco Gauff")
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