Cori Gauff and Naomi Osaka share a special relationship. The Japanese sensation impressed last year at the US Open when after dismissing the young American 6-3 6-0 she wanted to honor the teenager sharing the on-court interview with Coco. Later, it was the American ace to win the following match against Naomi at the Australian Open and the following hug at the net was quite special.
Coco and Naomi also share their passion for defending the people of color. During the lockdown, Gauff gave a memorable speech that was even more incredible because of her young age. Recently, Naomi has hit the headlines all over the world for her activism and consistency in supporting the so-called “black lives matter” movement.
Why Coco was impressed by Naomi Osaka
During a recent interview, Gauff revealed that she was stunned by the Japanese sensation to comment:
“I’m super happy that she won and that she was able to raise awareness while she was competing.
I think that her masks raised conversations in the tennis world about racial equality. I think it’s essential to use her platform, and I think she did a good job doing that. Big congratulations to her; she deserved it.”
Gauff in Rome, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.53, Gauff has a 8-5 win-loss record in 2020. Cori is currently having a run in Rome where she toppled Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-3.
Cori Gauff will take on Muguruza in the 2nd round. They have never competed against each other until now in top events.
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Ranked world no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 12th of September when she beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
This season Osaka has a 16-3 win-loss record. Osaka conquered 1 title at the U.S. Open. Naomi was the runner-up in New York.
Cori Gauff and Naomi Osaka played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. The last time that they played, Cori Gauff won 6-3 6-4 in the 3rd round in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 24th of January 2020.
