"People saying I didn't deserve to win... I started crying a lot"- Naomi Osaka recalls Serena Williams' controversial US Open loss to her
Naomi Osaka revisited the criticism she received from certain sections of tennis fans after her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the 2018 US Open. The former World No. 1 comprehensively defeated home favorite Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 in the final at Flushing Meadows.
However, while the result, on paper, suggests that it was all smooth sailing for Osaka, the reality was supposedly far from different. The high-profile encounter between the American legend and the then-rising Japanese star was marred by controversy as the former infamously let her frustrations get the better of her. The American's repeated outbursts included calling chair umpire Carlos Ramos a "thief" and accusing him of sexism after receiving a game penalty.
Despite the soaring tensions, Osaka did her best to keep herself calm and composed throughout the encounter and eventually clinched the prestigious hardcourt Major. The former World No. 1 recently featured as a guest on an episode of the Tennis Insider Club podcast and recollected how taking a peek at her social media after the US Open final turned into a tear-jerking experience for her.
According to Osaka, several fans online opined that she "didn't deserve to win".
"After I won my first US Open (2018), I went on social media and the night after I won I was receiving treatment and I was just reading a lot of people saying that I didn't deserve to win," Osaka said (7:30).
The Japanese player then recalled getting upset about it and turning tearful.
"Oh God! I remember I started crying a lot. And I still think about it a lot," Osaka added.
However, the four-time Major winner went on to say that nowadays, she doesn't bother with criticism and hate that comes her way online but does feel pain in hindsight when she thinks about such past instances.
"Honestly, now it (people's criticism) doesn't bother me and I barely see it anymore anyways. I try not to go on there (social media), but when I think about the past, then it's very painful because I remember the feelings that I had and honestly, I never really processed it well," Osaka said (9:08).
Serena Williams penned a letter of apology for Naomi Osaka to atone for her controversial US Open 2018 final behavior
In a 2019 essay for Harper's Bazaar, Serena Williams expressed remorse over her contentious behavior during the 2018 US Open final against Osaka. The 23-time singles Major champion confessed that her actions and words not only took the game away from her but also stole the limelight that Osaka deserved for winning her first-ever Grand Slam title.
Williams also revealed that in the aftermath of the controversial final meeting, she had apologized to Osaka.
"Hey, Naomi! It’s Serena Williams. As I said on the court, I am so proud of you, and I am truly sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself. But I had no idea the media would pit us against each other. I would love the chance to live that moment over again," read a part of Williams' apology.
While Williams' illustrious career came to an end with a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, Osaka is still active on the WTA Tour. The Japanese player is currently competing at the National Bank Open in Toronto, where she has set up a second-round meeting with Elise Mertens after defeating Ons Jabeur in her opener.