Inspired by Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka ‘promises’ herself to give her best at the US Open

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said watching Coco Gauff's campaign at the 2023 US Open inspired her to improve her game.

Inspired by Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka ‘promises’ herself to give her best at the US Open

Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff (Images via X)

Naomi Osaka has not been playing to her full potential since returning to court post maternity leave. She has often admitted about her struggles to give her best on the court, as only a few times this year she was able to challenge the top players.

Ahead of her opening match at the US Open on August 27, Osaka said watching Coco Gauff‘s matches at the 2023 US Open inspired her. Osaka also admitted that she was a bit stunned when she played at the 2024 French Open as she was on the cusp of winning the second-round match against eventual winner Iga Swiatek. 

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I remember, when I was watching Coco's match the last time I was there, I felt very inspired to play again. At that time, I didn't know at what level I could play. So I think when I got to Australia earlier this year and when I played the French Open, honestly I'm a little shocked sometimes at, like, how well the play is. 
Naomi Osaka said at the press conference 

Osaka has won the US Open twice, in 2018 and 2020. These were two of the four major trophies she won, having lifted the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. All Osaka now hopes is to give her best in New York or during the Asian swing. 

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I was watching in the stands last year, and I promised myself, like, this is going to be the tournament where I do the best. 
Naomi Osaka added 

Osaka is unseeded at the US Open. Before the season’s last Grand Slam event, the 26-year-old played at the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open on the North American hard court swing. 

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Naomi Osaka versus Jelena Ostapenko head-to-head record 

Naomi Osaka will be facing Jelena Ostapenko for the second time in her career. They will be meeting again after a long time as they previously locked horns in the second round of the 2016 French Open. Osaka won that match and took a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head meeting. 

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Via Imago)

Ostapenko, before the US Open, participated in the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. In Montreal, she reached the fourth round but got knocked out of her opening match in Cincinnati. 

The World No.10 has won two titles this season on the WTA Tour, lifting the Linz Open and the Adelaide International. Osaka, who has lifted seven titles since turning pro, is searching for her first title of the season.

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