Former USTA president Katrina Adams wonders whether the infamous presentation ceremony of 2018 US Open finals still haunts Naomi Osaka

Former USTA president Katrina Adams wonders whether the infamous presentation ceremony of 2018 US Open finals still haunts Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka

Former United States Tennis Association (USTA) chairperson and President, Katrina Adams was at the centre of it all, when 2018 US Open winner Naomi Osaka was supposedly booed by the crowd on Arthur Ashe.

The Japanese girl was bullied by the unfair and partisan crowd during the presentation ceremony. The reaction from the fans was purely because Serena Williams was allegedly given unfair treatment by the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos.

Recollecting the infamous incident, Adams shared her thoughts on how the controversy surrounding that night is likely to be still haunting Osaka.

“As a human being, if I was in her position and that was the way I was welcomed in as a Grand Slam champion, it would impact me,’’ Adams told The New York Post before Monday’s book (Own the Arena) signing at the U.S. Open. “The booing wasn’t at her. But she didn’t know that as a 19-year-old. Your first impressions sometimes are everlasting ones. I felt bad for her that night.’’

Adams, who has also been a former doubles player on the WTA tour further added that the four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka is carrying plenty of emotional burden onto the court and perhaps is also learning on how to cope up with such challenges.

“You recognize when there are off-court issues that come onto the court. I don’t know what they are. You don’t know what’s on a player’s mind when they’re on the court. I feel really bad what she’s experiencing personally. Only she knows. Everyone else can speculate. I think she’s dealing with a lot. In my opinion she’s learning how to deal with that.’’

Hoping for Osaka to return

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka

Before signing off, the 53-year-old also felt that Osaka needs to heal fully and wished for her return back to tennis in the future.

“She only knows what she needs to do,’’ Adams said. “If that’s what she needs to get stronger, and healthy. It’s about getting healthy all around, mind, body, soul. We want to see her in the game a very long time.’’

As we wait to hear from Osaka, one can easily spot Adams watching the ongoing 2021 US Open from the dignitaries’ box.

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Also read: ‘We need to respect and support tennis players who are struggling mentally,’ says Maria Sharapova