Naomi Osaka on Saturday, became the first women’s tennis player in 26 years to win the US Open final after dropping a set. Osaka, who became the US Open 2020 women’s singles champion, defeated former world number Victoria Azaenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The scoreline might show Osaka at the receiving end in only the first set but life was not easy for her in the two sets she won as well. Azarenka gave it her all in the quest to win her first Grand Slam title after 2013 but Osaka made a comeback to remember for ages. She played tennis of highest level when everything was at stake.
The resilience from the 22-year-old after losing the first set and trailing 0-2 in the second has stunned fans and greats of the tennis as well as other sports across the world.
NBA great LeBron James, tennis legend Billie Jean King, Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupati, retired Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman, Osaka’s compatriot Kei Nishikori took to Twitter to praise Japanese world number 9.
Mahesh Bhupati came up with one of the most biggest appreciations for Osaka, calling her a once in a lifetime athlete who will change the sports.
