1st Japanese U.S. Open Champ Osaka Eyes Tokyo Olympic Gold

September 14, 2018

Yokohoma- Speaking to more than 100 reporters shortly after returning to Japan on Thursday morning, Naomi Osaka, who became the first Japanese tennis player to win the U.S. Open singles title for women, said she now feels the victory "sinking in."

She also clarified that she aims to win a 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold.

The 20-year-old rising tennis star, daughter of a Japanese mother and a Haitian-American father, arrived at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda early in the morning, after defeating Serena Williams in the final match of the grand slam in New York on Saturday.

Emerging from the arrival gate at the airport, Osaka replied in Japanese and English to a reporter's request for a comment: "Nemui kedo (I'm sleepy) but really happy."

At the press conference, held in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, she said she "accomplished a lot" in the tournament.

Asked if she felt sad because the final match was overshadowed by Williams' sexist accusation against the umpire and her outburst of anger, Osaka answered, "I don't think I've ever thought about feeling sad because there's no experience for me to draw on in any other Grand Slam final win."

She also revealed that she received a message from fellow Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori, who also made it through to the U.S. Open men's semifinal, where he was beaten by Novak Djokovic.

"After I won, I got a lot of text messages, and I think the one that made me most happy was maybe, I guess Kei?" she said, "Because he was really supportive throughout the whole tournament."

Osaka made clear her intention to participate in the upcoming Olympics and eagerness to win.

"I feel like it's every athlete's dream to play in the Olympics, so I'm looking forward to that a lot," she said.

"I feel like if you play, of course you'd want to go for gold, so that would be my goal," she went on to say.

Osaka is set to join the Toray Pan Pacific Open tournament, which will be held from Monday in Tokyo.

"I just hope I play well in my match," she said. Jiji Press