US Open 2019: Naomi Osaka warms hearts by consoling Coco Gauff

Naomi Osaka (right) comforted an upset Coco Gauff (left) immediately after her victory
US Open 2019. Naomi Osaka has won hearts all over again.

The defending champion consoled 15-year-old American Coco Gauff after beating her 6-3 6-0 in the third round of the US Open.

It was not the first time Osaka has shown compassion in victory and after a heart-warming embrace at the net, she invited a tearful Gauff to speak to the crowd in a post-match interview.

“I wanted 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.

Osaka, 21, was holding back tears herself when she then spoke directly to Gauff’s box, before apologizing for playing so well, “You guys raised an amazing player,” said the Japanese world number one. “I used to see you guys training in the same place as us. The 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.

Osaka later told a news conference: “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 said she had not expected that 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,” Gauff added.