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US OPEN


August 27, 2024


Naomi Osaka


New York, New York, USA

Press Conference


N. OSAKA/J. Ostapenko

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.

NAOMI OSAKA: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Impressive win, barely over an hour, straight sets. Your thoughts on your performance today.

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, for me, I felt, I don't know, like I really respect her as a player, so I kind of knew that I had to play really well from the very first point, so I just tried to do that. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Seeing you with the Kobe jersey on, you wore it also at Mixed Madness. I wanted to know what you remember about him coming here to see you play five years ago?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, I guess I kind of played on the same court today. Louis Armstrong was the court he came and watched my match. I honestly remember being a little bit in disbelief that he was coming specifically to watch my match. Just to feel that support was unreal.

I think for me I always wear Kobe jerseys after matches and practices because I feel like a little bit, like, I can kind of keep his spirit with me.

Q. I notice many of your best matches this year since you have been back have been against, let's say, top players, whether they are Grand Slam champions, seeded players. Do you feel more motivated during those matches or does it just naturally come to you?

NAOMI OSAKA: I would definitely say I'm not sure if it's motivation or if I feel like I have no other choice but to play well, and then it gets rid of all the expectations and all the pressure I put on myself, because I know, like, no matter what, the tennis is going to be really great tennis, even if I win or lose.

That's kind of my mindset whenever I play, like, seeded players or really good players.

Q. Another fashion question. We saw a preview of the night outfit. Got to see the day today. Can you speak to the inspiration, even specifically the headphones. I'm told it's a Harajuku inspiration.

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, it is. Yun is so nice. She accepted doing this project, and we've kind of been, like, talking about it for a few years now. So just to be able to wear it and see it come to life and see that people are excited to see it, yeah, it's really cool. But yeah, it's based on Japanese and Harajuku culture.

Q. The color, that's been the color of the summer. When was that decided? You have been speaking about feeling more like yourself on court and you obviously mentioned the out-of-body thing. Does being able to have a hand in the fashion aspect of it help you with that all? Is there any connection there?

NAOMI OSAKA: Well, I chose the color like at least a year ago. I definitely love to be involved in everything I do, whether it's fashion or anything else. But I feel like being able to be a part of my tennis outfits gives me, I would say, a different strength. Especially the US Open outfits, I feel like they are a little bit more flamboyant. When I was putting on my outfit today, I was, like, ah, I hope this isn't too much. (Laughter.)

Because I had the tutu and then I had the bow jacket and it was green, I feel like everyone was staring at me funny. And then I put the headphones on, that was a real killer.

I was, like, you know what, embrace this maximalist style. And then it made me feel better, another player came up to me and asked to take a picture. I hope it was a positive picture, it wasn't, like, Oh, my God, look at her.

Yeah, I think for me when I put on the outfit it's almost like a super suit, so I try to channel that.

Q. Have you ever been so emotional after a victory, or what does it represent this specific victory?

NAOMI OSAKA: You know, I would say yes, and it was probably on the same exact court, so maybe it's that court that does something to me.

The first US Open that I won, I played Sabalenka in the round of 16. I remember I cried really hard after that, because I was having my, like, barrier of I couldn't get to the round of 16 or the quarters. I think it was the round of 16 though. Yeah, it's funny, though, I feel like I cried a lot more now than I did, like, winning slams. That's a little funny. Yeah.

Q. In terms of all the work that you've had to do the last eight months to get you a performance like that on this stage at this tournament that you were targeting, when you think back on all that, and I'm sure it's tons of stuff we don't even know that you had to kind of fight through and work on, what stands out to you in terms of what was the key over all these past months of building up to be able to play a match like you did today?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, I think definitely experience. I'm really glad that I played all the tournaments this year, even though the results haven't been that great, I feel like I could draw from each of those matches.

Over time, I know even though I lost in the quallies of Cincy, I kind of gained confidence in myself in a weird way, because for me, that was, like, the worst possible outcome of my career. Granted, I could have lost in the round before that.

But yeah, I just, I don't know, it's been so much hard work, so much, like, dreams and wishes, and I hope that I can continue. As of right now, I am really happy with how I played.

Q. Focusing on that, what is the feeling that you get from being at this level, and how would you compare it to any match you've played since you have returned?

NAOMI OSAKA: That's an interesting one, just because I feel like for me, this court is my home, like, it gives me so much more confidence. Like, I step on the court knowing that I probably have the most wins in the field maybe. I don't know. Please don't -- I don't know.

But, like, you know, having two wins here means a lot, and I think for me I've been struggling with confidence throughout the year, and this time now forces me to look in the mirror and say, Hey, you've done really well here, there's no reason why you can't do well again.

I just tried to channel that today.

Q. You were asked about the emotions after and whether it was the most emotional one. What exactly was it that you were thinking about? Was there something that kind of tipped you over the edge with the tears?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, honestly it's like a combination of a lot of different things. I grew up here, so just seeing kids, and then remembering my daughter, but seeing kids coming and watching me play and just remembering that I was a kid, I guess a long time ago, made me very emotional.

Then also just remembering that I came and watched Coco play her semis, and I was in the audience and I didn't know if I was going to be able to play again at this level, and just to play Ostapenko who is such a great player and win that match means a lot to me.

Yeah, just seeing the stadium really full, it meant a lot, because I was, like, oh, I hope people come watch me play.

Q. You mentioned you have been struggling for confidence this year. Where did that come from and what that struggle has been like? Do you remember a picture going around of you and Murray watching Rafa, do you remember...

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, honestly, the US Open time was, like, the best moments for me as a kid, because it's, like, the moments where the people you watch on TV, you can see them in real life.

Yeah, I just remember going into the Nissan Quest that we had and sliding the door, and being so pumped to get to see all my favorite tennis players.

I don't remember the picture being taken, but I remember, like, watching them practice.

I would say confidence, honestly I went into Australia with a lot of confidence, because it's a hard court. You know, like, it didn't go my way there, and obviously I don't know clay or grass that well, so it kind of shook me up a lot. I wish I could have done better in Toronto and Cincy.

Now I feel like I'm just here, it is the end of the year, but I told myself I would make my last stand if I could in the US Open and the Asian swing. So yeah, it's almost, like, you have a deadline and you're crunching at midnight to try to make it.

Q. I just wondered, you talked about how it's sort of like your superpower, wearing a fashion statement. Does having a fashion statement like that, having people look at you and it's kind of cool, does that help you make a statement on the court? Drawing that attention, does it give you confidence or not or they're not related at all?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, today it didn't, just because I was so focused on my match. But I do remember thinking, like, I need to win this match so I can wear my other color. (Laughter.) That was very important to me.

Yeah, I guess you'll see my other color next time.

(Naomi's answers to questions in Japanese.)

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, going into the match, I realized after Cincinnati that I'm honestly not classifying myself as an aggressive player. I love to play the game, and I love to, like, rally and then go for my opportunity when I have it.

So I think I tried to apply that -- well, that's a lot. I am an aggressive player, but I'm not, like, stepping on the baseline trying to whack the ball every time.

So, yeah, I think today I knew that she was definitely one of the best aggressive players in the world, but I didn't want to give her all the room to do that. So I just tried to force her to make unforced errors with my weight and my speed of ball.

Well, it's kind of like my journal that I have. I write in it before matches, and I write, like, points that I want to hit or things that I definitely want to do or just mindset goals.

So it was, we use a new word in the team, "standards," so I have new standards for myself.

Yeah, I mean, I definitely felt like I moved really well, and I think when I posted that on social media I probably could have worded it better. Like, I feel like I am fit, but I just need a lot more time on the court. From Cincinnati to here, I have been practicing so much, and I've spent so much time in the gym. I definitely feel fast and, like, being able to hit the balls and get to the balls that I want to.

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