Six Years in the Making: Osaka vs. Gauff

It’s been six summers since Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff shared a memorable moment during the third round of the US Open.

Back then, Gauff was just 15, making her debut at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but she was unable to overcome Osaka, the reigning champion. What stood out was that victory seemed to take a backseat for Osaka; she checked in on Gauff afterwards, shining a light on their shared experience.

Now, as both players gear up for their encounter in the quarterfinals, the anticipation is palpable. Monday night’s match promises to be special, reflecting on how far they’ve come since that day.

“I wanted to leave the court because, honestly, I’m not one to cry in public,” Gauff recalled of that moment. “But Osaka convinced me to stay. She said it was better than crying in the shower. Eventually, I agreed, despite saying no a million times. I’m glad she did, because, well, crying in front of everyone isn’t my go-to.”

That was Gauff’s first formal introduction to the New York crowd, just as it was for Osaka.

Fast forward to today, and Gauff, now 21, is a rising star with two major titles under her belt: the 2023 US Open and the French Open. Osaka, after winning her opening in 2020 and then an Australian title the following year, faced her own challenges, including motherhood in 2023 and a yearlong break to regain her form.

Despite the ups and downs, their relationship has blossomed into one rooted in mutual respect.

“I always knew she was going to be a great player,” Osaka laughed on Saturday. “Isn’t that funny? She was 15 then. Just seeing how far she has come is amazing. I feel like this next match is special for me at this point in my life.”

The two have faced each other five times, with their last completion dating back to 2022. Gauff won in straight sets during a match at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, but their last encounter ended abruptly when Osaka withdrew due to an injury last year.

After that incident, Gauff was there to support Osaka, even helping to carry her bags as she stepped away from competition.

Though Osaka might see Gauff as a younger sister, this upcoming match signifies a pivotal moment in Osaka’s comeback journey.

While Gauff acknowledges Osaka’s influence, this next meeting could very well embody a generational shift.

“The way I see it, an athlete can be fierce on the court and still treat their opponent like a best friend off it,” Gauff noted six years ago, reflecting on their dynamic. “That’s exactly how Osaka was.”