What a remarkable triumph! Naomi Osaka of Japan captured the world’s attention by beating Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 in the US Open final at the weekend.
But just who is this 20-year-old? Here are 10 facts about Osaka…
1 First ever Japanese Grand Slam singles champion
By winning the US Open, Osaka went one step further than male star Kei Nishikori, who lost the 2014 US Open final against Marin Cilic.
Kimiko Date-Krumm reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in the mid-1990s.
2 She has dual citizenship
Osaka was born in Osaka, Japan, to a Japanese mother (Tamaki Osaka), while her father is from Haiti (Leonard Francois). Her family moved to the US when she was three, and she has dual Japanese and American citizenship.
3 She won one previous WTA title
Osaka made her title breakthrough in March when she won the Indian Wells event, beating Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-2.
Her only previous final was in September 2016, when she went down 7-5 6-3 to Caroline Wozniacki in the Pan Pacific Open.
Her previous best performance at a Grand Slam was losing in the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open.
4 Unbeaten against Serena!
Yes, that’s right – Osaka has never lost to her ‘idol’. Apart from the US Open victory, the 20-year-old beat Williams 6-3 6-2 in Miami in March this year. Imagine having a 2-0 record against Serena Williams…
.@Naomi_Osaka_ picks up her first Grand Slam title at the 2018 #USOpen after a 6-2, 6-4 win over S. Williams!
Tune into @espn Sunday at 1pm ET for more championship action in New York City.https://t.co/VtxXIMiYRS pic.twitter.com/MAdXSVVobZ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018
5 She has also beaten Venus Williams
Venus is also one of Osaka’s heroines, but she got the better of her in Hong Kong last year.
6 Career Prize Money
Osaka has now compiled $7 032 734 (R106.48m) in her short career, bolstered by the $3.8 million (R57.53m) winner’s cheque at the US Open.
Taking a few ? w/trophy. Thank you @COMMEGARCONS and @DSMNY for the amazing dress and to @adrianjoffe and Rei Kawakubo for the support ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VwEAPGp4TF
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) September 9, 2018
7 Her sister is also a pro player
Mari Osaka is 22, and campaigns mainly on the ITF lower-tier circuit.
8 Her father followed in Williams’ footsteps
Leonard Francois told the New York Times that Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, had shown the way for him. “The blueprint was already there. I just had to follow it.”
9 Surge up the rankings
Osaka started the year at No 68. Now she’s at No 7.
10 She has her own website
You can find out more about the new US Open champion at www.naomiosaka.com
"When I step on the court, I'm not a Serena fan – I'm just a tennis player playing another tennis player. But when I hugged her at the net, I felt like a little kid again."
❤ @Naomi_Osaka_ lets us into her heart…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/GlCigEQUiv
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018
Source: IOL News
