US Open champion Naomi Osaka defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets but then invited the American to join her for the post match interview as the crowd were 'here to see her.'
A year ago Osaka beat Serena Williams to the US Open title at Flushing Meadows, in a controversial final that left her in tears. This year the tears were for a very different reason as the reigning champion caused an emotional moment.
The Japanese star beat Gauff, who shot to fame at Wimbledon earlier this year, on Saturday night in the third round, but invited the young American to share the post match interview with her, leaving the teenager struggling to hold back her tears, and telling Gauff it was better to cry in front of the crowd than in the shower.
Struggling to hold back the tears the 15-year-old told the crowd that Osaka had been 'so sweet' and thanked her for the experience.
Finally Osaka, who had hidden her own tears after beating Williams in the final last year, congratulated Gauff's team for 'raising an amazing player' and teared up herself on another emotional night.
In the press conference after the match the world number one explained why she invited the 15-year-old to talk, saying, "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.
Advert
"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."
In the 2018 final Williams was warned by the umpire for being coached during the match and called the umpire a 'thief' in an angry outburst that cost her a game, but didn't really affect the outcome of the match.
Osaka was left in tears and apologised to the crowd at Flushing Meadows who wanted to see their hero win.
Advert
A year later and Osaka beat another crowd favourite, leading to tears, but this time everyone loved it.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Serena Williams, Tennis news, Naomi Osaka, Wimbledon, US Open
