Naomi Osaka pays tribute to her team after winning another Grand Slam
Naomi Osaka was positively giddy following her Australian Open final win over Petra Kvitova.
The Japanese star won in three sets to claim her second successive Grand Slam title and the world number one ranking, but her interview following the success was typically endearing, and in stark contrast to her fierce on-court demeanour.
“Erm, hello. Sorry, public speaking isn’t my strong point so I hope I can get through this!
“I wouldn’t have wanted this to be our first match but huge congratulations to you [Kvitova] and your team.
“You are amazing and I am honoured to have played you in a Grand Slam final.
“Thank you for coming and watching. It’s really hot all the time.”
“I want to thank everyone, you make this tournament possible. Thanks to my team.
“I don’t think I would have made it through this week without you. Behind a tennis player is always a great team so thank you.
“I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say! Thank you everyone, I am really honoured to have played in this final.”
Kvitova, meanwhile, was magnanimous in defeat. The Czech has endured a very tough couple of years due to a knife attack at her home, but she is looking forward to better things after regaining her place among the top WTA contenders.
“It’s crazy. I can’t believe I have just played in the final of a Grand Slam again.
“It was a great final. Well done Naomi. To her team as well, you really played well. Congratulations for being world number one as well.”
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Pat Cash: British tennis blew a big chance to capitalise on Andy Murray’s success
-
-
Exclusive: Mats Wilander gives his verdict on rising superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas to Tennis365
-
Comment: Alexander Zverev’s disdain for Stefanos Tsitsipas sows the seeds of great rivalry
-
Super-coach Patrick Mouratoglou opens up the impact he has had on Serena Williams
-
Latest
-
NewsSerena Williams produces best performance in seeing off Danielle Collins
The story of the sixth day of action at Roland Garros.
-
French OpenStefanos Tsitsipas catches the eye on a day of drama at the French Open
Tsitsipas recovered from a set down to keep his hopes alive in Paris.
-
NewsDaniil Medvedev eases past Reilly Opelka to reach French Open fourth round
Medvedev defeated giant American Reilly Opelka in straight sets.
-
NewsRussian tennis player arrested in Paris as part of a match-fixing investigation
The investigation is in relation to a match at last year’s French Open, held in October.
-
NewsSerena Williams emerges as big French Open contender after beating Danielle Collins
Williams is the only top-10 player left in the bottom half of the draw.
-
NewsRafael Nadal expects French Open clash with Cameron Norrie to be a ‘tough one’
Norrie and Nadal will play each other for a third time in 2021.
-
NewsNaomi Osaka to star in Netflix documentary as Andrew Castle warns media have a role to play
The opening week of the French Open in Paris has been dominated by Osaka’s decision to withdraw due to mental helath issues.
-
NewsPoor display sees Aryna Sabalenka beaten as French Open loses top three seeds
The Belarusian followed Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka out of the tournament.
-
NewsInjury means the French Open sees the back of world number one Ashleigh Barty
The story of the fifth day of action at Roland Garros.
-
French Open‘I’m playing well’ – Rafael Nadal in buoyant mood as he eases through in Paris
Nadal has won every tour-level match he has played against the Frenchman.