Naomi Osaka Claims Her Second Grand Slam Title

Japan’s Naomi Osaka is officially a back-to-back Grand Slam champion. Today, the Japanese-Haitian player defeated Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitová 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-4 at the Australia Open. This follows her win at last year’s U.S. Open, against Serena Williams.

At 21 years old, Osaka is now the first player from Japan to reach the No. 1 ranking (she replaces Simona Halep as the world No. 1), and the youngest to reach the top rank since Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, who was 20 when she claimed the spot in 2010.

Today’s win for Osaka follows up her much-discussed victory at the U.S. Open last year, which was overshadowed by controversy after Williams had a tense standoff with the umpire Carlos Ramos, where she called him out for sexism and unfairness after receiving two code violations from him. Many audience members booed Osaka as she collected her trophy, while Williams implored the audience to be respectful of Osaka’s win, saying: “She played well; This is her first Grand Slam . . . . Let’s give everyone the credit where credit’s due . . . . No more booing.”

The two-hour-and-27-minute match on Saturday went to three sets, with each player claiming one set each before Osaka won the third, 6-4.

After collecting her trophy, Osaka thanked her fans and her team. “To my team, I don’t think I would have made it through this week behind you guys,” she said. “Behind a tennis player is always a team so I’m really grateful.” She closed by congratulating her opponent. “You’re really amazing and I’m really honored to have played you in the final of a Grand Slam,” she said.

For Kvitová, who is a two-time Wimbledon singles champion, this was her first attempt at winning a major title since being stabbed in a home invasion in 2016. She endured severe inures to her left hand. Following today’s match, she spoke about being grateful to be able to recover and play, no matter a win or loss. “Thank you to my team for sticking with me, especially because we didn’t even know if I could hold a racket again,” she said following the match. “It wasn’t that easy.”