Naomi Osaka is definitely in a great mental space. The Japanese sensation has becoming more and more the face of the WTA and big brands are hustling for having her as their ambassador.
Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff
However, things have not always been easy for the 3-slam champion. During a recent interview, Naomi recalled the huge disappointment she had when she lost to Coco Gauff during the 2020 Australian Open. Naomi was the defending champion and she was meant to beat Coco without much of a struggle. In fact, the young American was still 15 and Osaka demolished her in the previous slam when she won 6-3 6-0 (highlights). Eventually, it was Gauff to win in straight sets 6-3 6-4.
Talking about that match, Naomi commented:
“This one hurts a little bit more. I feel bad for my entire team. We came here to win the tournament, and I’m sort of, like, the vessel that everyone’s hard work is put into. And I wasn’t able to do what I was supposed to do.”
This year, Naomi played an exhibition in Adelaide with her childhood hero Serena Williams when she lost in 3 sets. The Japanese is now in Melbourne, where she will compete in the Gippsland Trophy where she is seeded no.2. Naomi may face Coco already in the 3rd round.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Now ranked no.3, Osaka played her last match on the 29th of January when she was overcome by Serena Williams 6-2 2-6 10-7 in the semifinal in Adelaide (draw).
This season Osaka has achieved an overall 0-0 record.
Cori Gauff in 2021
At the moment ranked no.48, Gauff played her last match on the 9th of January when she lost to Maria Sakkari 7-5 6-2 in the 2nd round in Abu Dhabi (draw).
This season Gauff achieved a compiled 1-1 win-loss record.
Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff squared off just on 2 occasions. Their current record is 1-1. The last time they played each other, Cori Gauff won 6-3 6-4 in the 3rd round in Melbourne (Australian Open) in January 2020.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff |
| Embed from Getty Images |
