In a highly anticipated match at the US Open, defending champion Naomi Osaka defeated 15-year-old Coco Gauff 6-3,6-0 to advance into the fourth round on early Sunday morning.
Gauff has generated all sorts of attention by making it to the second week at Wimbledon in July and becoming the youngest woman to win two matches at the US Open since 1996.
And after registering a comfortable win over the young American player, the top seed from Japan, Osaka, asked Gauff to join her for the on-court interview, knowing the packed house was supporting her opponent.
Gauff initially turned down the two-time Grand Slam champion’s offer, saying, “she would only cry the entire time”. But the 21-year-old Osaka wasn’t one to give in and eventually convinced the World Number 140 to join her.
“She told me I did amazing,” Gauff said during an unusual on-court interview for a match’s loser. “I’m going to learn from this whole match,” Gauff said. “She’s been so sweet to me.”
"For me, this is the most focused I've been since Australia," said Osaka, who's had an up-and-down season since earning that trophy. Addressing Gauff, she said: "I'm so sorry for playing you (with) this type of mentality."
Osaka’s heartwarming gesture earned her great praise on the internet.
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