What Occurred When Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff Beforehand Met at US Open? Heartbreak, Tears, Sportsmanship, and Extra
Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff are making ready to fulfill as soon as once more underneath the intense lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, this time within the fourth spherical of the 2025 US Open. Their upcoming showdown rekindles recollections of the pair’s very first encounter on the match in 2019, a match that was much less concerning the scoreline and extra concerning the extraordinary sportsmanship that adopted.
How Did Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff’s First US Open Assembly in 2019 Unfold?
Again in 2019, Gauff was simply 15 years outdated and using a wave of worldwide consideration after her gorgeous Wimbledon breakthrough earlier that summer time. Osaka, already a two-time Grand Slam champion and the defending US Open winner, entered the match because the top-ranked participant on this planet.
On the courtroom, Osaka’s expertise and precision proved decisive. She dismantled Gauff’s defenses, cruising to a 6-3, 6-0 victory in simply 65 minutes. As Gauff ready to go away the courtroom in tears, Osaka urged her to remain for the post-match interview.
Standing facet by facet, the 2 gamers delivered one of the vital heartfelt exchanges the game had seen in years. Gauff thanked Osaka for her generosity, whereas Osaka praised Gauff’s dad and mom. The second was hailed as a masterclass in empathy and respect, immediately cementing itself as a bit of US Open historical past.
Osaka Calls on Arthur Ashe Stadium Followers as Gauff Thriller Approaches
After defeating fifteenth seed Daria Kasatkina within the third spherical in New York, Osaka used her on-court interview to rally the group, asking for his or her help forward of what she known as a “powerful” fourth-round battle towards Gauff.
“I hope, if any person come to the match and cheer for me? As a result of, I imply it’s form of powerful taking part in an American right here, however I hope you guys form of adopted me as effectively, so. Yeah, I don’t know, I form of additionally see her as just a little sister, so it’s actually cool to be taking part in her right here once more,” she mentioned.
Their rivalry has developed considerably since that night time in New York. Gauff avenged the loss on the 2020 Australian Open, profitable 6-3, 6-4, earlier than Osaka claimed one other victory in Cincinnati the next yr. From 2022 onward, nonetheless, the American seized management, defeating Osaka in San Jose and once more on the 2024 China Open, the place Osaka retired mid-match.
Heading into their fourth-round battle on the 2025 US Open, Gauff holds a 3-2 edge of their head-to-head file, together with victories of their final three encounters. The winner of this match will face both twenty seventh seed Marta Kostyuk or Karolína Muchová within the quarterfinals.
