A lot has happened since Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff last played each other at the US Open
New York – So many things happened to Naomi Osaka – in tennis, far from tennis – since she played for the first time Coco Gauff at We open in 2019.
During this period, Osaka won two Grand Slam trophies to increase its total career total, helped to arouse a global conversation on mental health by revealing that it felt anxiety and depression, took a series of breaks from the tour and to become a mother.
THE GAUFF vs Osaka Matchup in the fourth round In Flushing Meadows on Monday, there is both a reminder – for others – this night six years ago, as well as everything that has been going on since.
“Just to be at this stage of my life and to play it again,” said Osaka, “is, honestly, for me … a little special.”
Osaka was 21 years old and the title champion of the US Open and the Australian Open; Gauff was 15 years old and only played his second Grand Chelem tournament and the first in New York. Osaka won in two sets in the Arthur Ashe stadium, but what was most memorable was What happened after the last point.
Gauff was crying, and Osaka approached to console her and suggested that she speak to the crowd – very unusual for the loser of a match. But Osaka knew that fans would like to hear the young American who already showed signs of becoming the star that she is today.
“I remember that it was a difficult time for me, because it was a match in force. I remember watching on it. I guess I put too much pressure on myself by thinking that I may have a chance at that moment to do something, which I definitely did,” said Gauff on Saturday, “but I think it was just that I felt more than I should, maybe belief.”
Osaka remembers having recognized how much talent and balance Gauff had for such a young player.
“I thought she had manipulated herself very well,” said Osaka, who heads 23rd at Flushing Meadows and recently started working with former coach of Iga Swiatek, Tomasz Wiktorowski, “and I knew she was going to be there.”
After winning the US Open in 2020, Osaka triumphed the Australian Open in January 2021. In the next Grand Chelm tournament, she retired before her second round match and explained the off the outstanding struggles with which she had faced, then took the first of a hand of mental health.
The Australian Open, 4 and a half years ago, was the last major where Osaka arrived in the fourth round so far. She was out of the tour for part of this section during her maternity leave.
On Saturday, she spoke of “the return trip here”.
“I just feel happy,” said Osaka, 27, “because I have the impression that all my hard work is something.”
Gauff, now 21 years old, won the US Open in 2023 and the French open in June and is sown n ° 3 in New York while working with An expert in biomechanics to reorganize its problematic service.
“Naomi and I are not very close or anything, but we are really friendly with each other. I support her from afar in all the things she has done on and off the field,” said Gauff.
“It would be a kind of already seen type,” she said, assuming that this revenge match will also be in Ashe, “but I hope it will be a different result.”
By Howard Fendrich
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