NEW YORK (SNP Report): Tennis fans are in for a treat as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka prepare for a blockbuster fourth-round showdown at the U.S. Open on Monday, a match that evokes memories of their unforgettable first encounter at Flushing Meadows in 2019.
Organisers could hardly have scripted it better. On the U.S. Labor Day holiday, two of the sport’s most charismatic and popular figures, both former champions, will square off under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium, rekindling a rivalry that blends nostalgia with high stakes.
Their first meeting came six years ago when a 15-year-old Gauff, fresh from her breakout Wimbledon run, faced the then-defending champion and world number one Osaka. The Japanese star won convincingly 6-3, 6-0, but the night became memorable for what followed: an emotional Gauff, in tears, was invited by Osaka to share the post-match spotlight, creating one of tennis’s most enduring displays of sportsmanship.
Gauff, now 20 and the reigning U.S. Open champion, said she has never forgotten that night. “It was a tough moment for me because it was a hyped-up match. I remember putting way too much pressure on myself,” she recalled after beating Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-1 to reach her fourth consecutive Round of 16. “This time, it’s kind of déjà vu, but hopefully with a different result.”
Osaka, seeded 23rd, is equally excited about the reunion. “I just remember knowing she was going to be a great player,” said the four-time major winner, who grew up on Long Island and remains a fan favorite in New York.
Their journeys since 2019 have diverged. Osaka went on to capture two more majors, the 2020 U.S. Open and 2021 Australian Open, before struggling with form, injuries, and her well-documented mental health battles. After giving birth in 2023, she has fought her way back, reaching the Montreal final this summer. “I have to give myself grace,” Osaka said. “I did a lot when I was young, and it’s been a process coming back.”
Meanwhile, Gauff has blossomed into the face of women’s tennis. Her U.S. Open triumph last year drew a record 3.4 million television viewers in the U.S., more than the men’s final. This season, she arrived in New York as the third seed after claiming her second major at Roland Garros. Seven-time major winner Venus Williams, an inspiration to both players, summed up the anticipation: “Everyone will be watching. That’s what tennis needs.”
English