2018 US Open champion Naomi Osaka got candid in an interview with WTA Insider about the aftermath of her historic US Open win against tennis great Serena Williams.
Osaka became the first Japanese-Haitian women to reach the final of a Grand Slam event and win. However, it quickly turned into a highway robbery of what shouldve been a celebratory moment for Osaka thanks to a power hungry ref.
WTA Insider on Twitter
Naomi Osaka: “The memory of the US Open is a little bit bittersweet. The day after, I really didn’t want to think about it because it wasn’t necessarily the happiest memory for me. I just sort of wanted to move on.” #ChinaOpen MORE: https://t.co/5YtFGGLihI
Since then, the 20-year-old has tried to put that day behind her. In an interview, she told reporters, the memory of the US Open is a little bit bittersweet. Like right after, the day after, I really didnt want to think about it because it wasnt necessarily the happiest memory for me. I dont know. I just sort of wanted to move on at the point.
When asked whether the joy of winning her maiden major outweighed the bittersweet feeling left by the memories of the controversial final, Osaka said:
I mean, of course I’m happy that I won a Grand Slam. I don’t think there’s anything that can take away from that. But I don’t know. I feel like not that when I look back on it that it’s a bad memory, but I feel like it was so strange, I just didn’t want to think about it. I wanted to just push it to the side. Then I played Tokyo. For me, Tokyo was a way to take my mind off of it. I think that’s why I did well. I’m still trying to take my mind off of it a little bit. I guess hopefully I can do well here, too.
Osaka further compared her feelings to eating green tea ice cream. When you bite into it, its sweet but also very strong. Thats how the memory feels to me
Despite making history both with her win and with locking down the largest female athlete deal in Adidas history, Osaka is still haunted by the events that lead her here.
Its disheartening to hear someone so young and great speak about a powerful moment in their career in such a manner. It’s even worse because Osaka played no part in the controversy that surrounded her win.
She didnt deserve that ending and as fans we could only hope that this never happens to her or anyone again.
