Naomi Osaka won what will be one of the most talked about US Open finals ever with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Serena Williams, who was attempting on winning her record-equaling 24th major singles title and a record-breaking seventh U.S. Open final.
Williams was assessed a point penalty and a game penalty in the match in the second set following a warning for receiving coaching from her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, a smashed racquet, which is an automatic code violation that gave her a point penalty and her second violation and a third violation that gave her a game penalty for verbal abuse in her argument with chair umpire Carlos Ramos.
The game penalty was assessed with Osaka leading by a service break in the second set, and moved her into a 5-3 lead in the second set. She served out the match two games later to become the first player representing Japan to win a major singles title.
After Osaka rolled to win the first set – winning five straight games – Williams moved to a 3-1 lead. She immediately lost her serve the next game, smashing her racquet in frustration that earned her the second violation and a point penalty to start the next game.
With Osaka leading by a service break, after breaking Williams for a 4-3 lead, Williams was given a game penalty on the changeover after Williams called Ramos “a thief” and demanding an apology for being labeled a cheat.
Said Williams when presented with questions from ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi in the on-court ceremony “I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t want to interrupt. I don’t want to do questions. I just want to tell you guys, [Osaka] played well. This is her first Grand Slam. I know you guys were here rooting and I was rooting too, but let’s make this the best moment we can and we’ll get through it. But let’s give everyone the credit where credit is due and let’s not boo anymore. We’re going to get through this and let’s be positive. Congratulations Naomi. No more booing.”
Said Osaka “It was always my dream to play Serena in the U.S. Open finals, so I’m really glad I was able to do that.”
USTA Chairman of the Board and president Katrina Adams released a statement on Saturday afternoon praising Williams for her actions on the podium after the match, too.
“What Serena did on the podium today showed a great deal of class and sportsmanship,” Adams said in a statement. “This was Naomi’s moment, and Serena wanted her to be able to enjoy it. That was a class move from a true champion. What Serena has accomplished this year in playing her way back on to the tour is truly amazing. She continues to inspire, because she continues to strive to be the best. She owns virtually every page of the record book, but she’s never been one to rest on her laurels. She’s always working to improve; always eager to embrace new challenges; and to set new standards. She is an inspiration to me, personally, and a credit to our sport, win or lose.
“I know that she was frustrated about the way the match played out, but the way she stepped up after the final and gave full credit to Naomi for a match well-played speaks volumes about who she is.”
Williams was seeking her 24th major singles title that would have tied her for the all-time lead owned by Margaret Court. Williams was also seeking her seventh U.S. Open title, which would have been the most ever and would have broken the tie that she currently shares with Chris Evert. Williams was also looking to join a select group of seven mothers in the history of the sport to win majors, most recently in the Open era (since 1968) by Kim Clijsters.
