Naomi Osaka beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the US Open on Saturday.
The final was, like the rest of the tournament, played for empty stands and after she secured the triumph, Osaka lay down on the deck.
It could look like she was enjoying the silence after securing her third Grand Slam.
– I have seen people throw themselves on the field when it is over, but it looks quite dangerous, so I wanted to lie down in a safe way, she said in the victory interview.
– I wanted to thank the team around me, who had faith in me. Especially at the beginning of the year when it was not so good.
Bad memories
The big tournament she won was in exactly the same place in 2018.
Then she was pepped out of the home crowd after beating Serena Williams, who had had a major outburst of anger against the referee in the match.
Then a weeping Osaka cried to the spectators that she had beaten their hero, while Williams defended her.
– GRAY: Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams after the US Open final in 2018. Photo: Timothy A. Clary
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Turning operation
Victoria Azarenka lost her first Grand Slam final since 2013.
Azarenka won the first set 6-1. The Belarusian broke Osaka’s serve three times and seemed to be on his way to his third Grand Slam title, and the first in seven years, but then it was the Japanese who made a complete change of role.
DOWN: Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the final. Photo: Al Bello
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In the last two sets, it was Osaka who repeatedly broke the opponent’s serve.
– After the first set, I thought it would be very embarrassing to lose the match in less than an hour, so I decided that I had to work hard to avoid it, Osaka said after the match.
Would rather not meet her again
Azarenka considered leaving earlier this year, but now announced that she will try to get to more finals, and would like to meet Osaka several times.
– I want to congratulate Victoria. I do not want to meet you in more finals, because this was very difficult, but it was great for me to meet you. I used to watch you play here, said a humble 22-year-old after the victory.
During the tournament, Osaka has distinguished herself with her social commitment, and for Saturday’s final she met with a bandage with the name of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy who in 2014 was killed by the police in Cleveland.
(NTB/TV 2)
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