What Happened When Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff Previously Met at US Open? Heartbreak, Tears, Sportsmanship, and More
Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff are preparing to meet once again under the bright lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, this time in the fourth round of the 2025 US Open. Their upcoming showdown rekindles memories of the pair’s very first encounter at the tournament in 2019, a match that was less about the scoreline and more about the extraordinary sportsmanship that followed.
How Did Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff’s First US Open Meeting in 2019 Unfold?
Back in 2019, Gauff was just 15 years old and riding a wave of global attention after her stunning Wimbledon breakthrough earlier that summer. Osaka, already a two-time Grand Slam champion and the defending US Open winner, entered the match as the top-ranked player in the world.
On the court, Osaka’s experience and precision proved decisive. She dismantled Gauff’s defenses, cruising to a 6-3, 6-0 victory in just 65 minutes. As Gauff prepared to leave the court in tears, Osaka urged her to stay for the post-match interview.
Standing side by side, the two players delivered one of the most heartfelt exchanges the sport had seen in years. Gauff thanked Osaka for her generosity, while Osaka praised Gauff’s parents. The moment was hailed as a masterclass in empathy and respect, instantly cementing itself as a piece of US Open history.
Osaka Calls on Arthur Ashe Stadium Fans as Gauff Thriller Approaches
After defeating 15th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round in New York, Osaka used her on-court interview to rally the crowd, asking for their support ahead of what she called a “tough” fourth-round battle against Gauff.
“I hope, if somebody come to the match and cheer for me? Because, I mean it’s kind of tough playing an American here, but I hope you guys kind of adopted me as well, so. Yeah, I don’t know, I kind of also see her as a little sister, so it’s really cool to be playing her here again,” she said.
Their rivalry has evolved significantly since that night in New York. Gauff avenged the loss at the 2020 Australian Open, winning 6-3, 6-4, before Osaka claimed another victory in Cincinnati the following year. From 2022 onward, however, Gauff seized control, defeating Osaka in San Jose and again at the 2024 China Open, where Osaka retired mid-match.
Heading into their fourth-round battle at the 2025 US Open, Gauff holds a 3-2 edge in their head-to-head record, including victories in their last three encounters. The winner of this match will face either the 27th seed, Marta Kostyuk, or Karolína Muchová in the quarterfinals.
