photo credit: Rena Schild // Shutterstock
Naomi Osaka, 20, has become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam final, winning 6-2, 6-4.. Naomi defeated Serena Williams who was going for her 24th career Grand Slam single title, an all-time record held by Australia’s Margaret Court.
Naomi, who is half Haitian, also becomes the first Haitian to win a Grand Slam single title. She played representing the Japanese Tennis Association but is proud that her Haitian roots can too be represented in this competition. This is the second time Osaka has beat Williams, the first being in the Miami Open in March.
During the match, Serena was penalized for he coach allegedly making hand signals, which is a code violation. In anger, Serena smashed her racket on the court, which was another violation. At that point, Serena walked over to the chair umpire Carlos Ramos saying, “You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life! I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right for her,” Williams told Ramos on the court. “I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose.”
Serena surrendered the second match, resulting it going to Osaka. This is Serena’s second runner-up match since her daughter was born. Her first was at Wimbledon this July, falling to Angelique Kerber in the final.
Your 2018 #USOpen champion…@Naomi_Osaka_ 🏆🗽 pic.twitter.com/yAPFaezBpz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2018
"I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose."
—Serena to the chair umpire after receiving a coaching violation pic.twitter.com/v6Q2GWYYOn
— espnW (@espnW) September 8, 2018
Written by Clarke Jones