Pure Class! Fans inside the Diamond Court in Beijing were keen to witness a nail-biting contest between two fierce rivals, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. The match started pretty well, with the Japanese taking the first set and then Gauff making a comeback in the second. However, just before the start of the third set, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the match due to a lower back issue. With this withdrawal, Gauff has now moved into the QF of the China Open. Surprisingly, more than her victory in this match, fans are now more pleased to see Coco Gauff’s classy display of sportsmanship towards Osaka.
Instead of celebrating, the 20-year-old tennis star was spotted showing great empathy by offering her opponent a hug and even volunteering to carry her bag. She helped Osaka walk off the court. In a viral video, Coco Gauff asked if Naomi Osaka was okay or if she needed any help. Osaka seemed a bit surprised with this warm gesture, and she replied, saying, “Really?” The crowd erupted with cheers and appreciation after seeing the American carry her opponent’s kit bag.
Coco Gauff even shared a post on her Instagram account later where she wished Naomi Osaka a quick recovery, “Wishing you a speedy recovery, @naomiosaka.” Even after the match, Gauff showcased her concern for the Japanese superstar as she said, “I wasn’t sure if it was her hip or back; I just knew that towards the end she could barely jump on her serve. So I knew that it was something that, at the moment, was probably bad, but hopefully it’s something that’s not a long-term thing.”
Although Gauff saw that Osaka was struggling a bit towards the end of the second set, she never thought that she’d retire from the match at that moment. “I just told her she should be proud of herself. It’s not easy. I think this is her first time winning three matches in a tournament [for a while]. So physically, you can do all the running you want, but match-fit is different. Hopefully, she’ll be fine. I think she’s signed up for Wuhan,” said Gauff. Naomi Osaka has won 21 out of 38 matches this season, and her best results in 2024 came at the Qatar Open and in Hertogenbosch, NL. She reached the QF in both of those tournaments.
Can Naomi Osaka make a strong comeback in her next tournament and finish the year on a high note? We don’t have the answer at the moment! However, this touching interaction between her and Coco Gauff made the fans happy. They’re happy to see the mutual respect and sportsmanship between the two. This is a perfect example of the positive side of competitive tennis! However, the bonding with Osaka and Gauff isn’t something new; they’ve been friends on the Tour for several years.
“I’d love to have my kid look up to as a role model” – Naomi Osaka heaps praise on Coco Gauff
This unique camaraderie in the world of high competitiveness started way back in 2019. Naomi Osaka defeated Coco Gauff in the R32 match of the 2019 US Open by 6-3, 6-0. Shortly after that disappointing loss, Gauff was seen in tears, and then Osaka asked her to join her in the post-match interview. Later, while explaining that moment, Gauff said, “I wanted to leave the court because I’m not the type of person who wants to cry in front of everyone. I didn’t want to take that moment away from her, as well.”
Both of them stood beside each other and spoke fondly about their opponent. Naomi Osaka then addressed Gauff’s parents, saying, “You guys raised an amazing player.” She revealed that she saw how Coco Gauff used to put in all the hard work with her dad in her training sessions during her early days. Reflecting on her humble behavior after the victory, Gauff said, “I think she just proved that she’s a true athlete. For me, the definition of an athlete is someone who on the court treats you like your worst enemy, but off the court can be your best friend. I think that’s what she did tonight.“
Then in 2021, Osaka again opened up about her friendship with Coco Gauff after losing the second-round match at the Cincinnati Open. She revealed how Gauff used to send her messages of support while she was struggling with some mental health issues in her life. Two years later, during the 2023 US Open, Coco Gauff said that she was very much “excited” to see Naomi Osaka making a comeback on the Tour after giving birth to her daughter, Shai.
Previously, during an exclusive interview with ESPN, the Japanese superstar opened up about her admiration for Coco Gauff. She said, “I’m always really proud of everything she (Gauff) does. She seems like such a good person. Everything she’s doing and speaking out about so many different topics… it’s something I’d love to have my kid look up to as a role model. Seeing her doing well in her home Grand Slam is really cool. I cheer for her every match she plays.” Although Naomi Osaka previously claimed that she doesn’t really have that many friends on Tour, However, in that tiny bit of the list, perhaps Gauff now sits at the top!