Naomi Osaka Captures First Grand Slam Title at 2018 US Open

Naomi Osaka's US Open victory ends Serena Williams' streak of 6 consecutive years with a major title.

Naomi Osaka defeats Serena Williams in Championship 6-2, 6-4.

Your 2018 #USOpen champion...@Naomi_Osaka_ 🏆🗽 pic.twitter.com/yAPFaezBpz

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2018

Congratulations Naomi Osaka!  I'm sorry I missed the match.  I'm a big Serena Williams fan, but it turned out to be a historical match in that Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese to win a a major singles title.  Too bad about the controversy; it robbed Naomi of her moment, and a championship smile.  Naomi seems like such a humble girl.

NAOMI OSAKA: "When I step on the court, I'm not a Serena fan - I'm just a tennis player playing another tennis player. But when I hugged her at the net, I felt like a little kid again."

"When I step on the court, I'm not a Serena fan - I'm just a tennis player playing another tennis player. But when I hugged her at the net, I felt like a little kid again."

❤ @Naomi_Osaka_ lets us into her heart...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/GlCigEQUiv

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018

Naomi Osaka (大坂 なおみ Ōsaka Naomi, born 16 October 1997) is a professional tennis player representing Japan. She is the first Japanese tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament, defeating Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 US Open. Osaka has reached a career-high world ranking of No. 7.

I agree with  ESPN's Arash Markazi: "The chair’s ego in this situation not only penalized Serena Williams but also deprived Naomi Osaka of the spotlight (and smile) she deserved."

The chair’s ego in this situation not only penalized Serena Williams but also deprived Naomi Osaka of the spotlight (and smile) she deserved. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/VEDzDucP0y

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 8, 2018

Naomi Osaka was born in Osaka, Japan, to a Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka, and a Haitian father, Leonard "San" François. Naomi and her older sister Mari were given their mother's maiden name for practical reasons when the family lived in Japan.  Her father was born in Haiti and went to New York University before moving to Japan, where he met and married her mother.  Naomi and Mari, who is also a professional tennis player, have played together in doubles tennis.  Osaka moved to the United States at the age of three with her family and currently resides in Florida.

Watch 2018 US Open Press Conference: Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka's US Open victory ends Serena Williams' streak of consecutive years with a major title. pic.twitter.com/cetSbZ1vZ2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2018

Watch 2018 US Open Press Conference: Serena Williams

Watch 2018 US Open Press Conference: Naomi Osaka (Japanese Media)