‘Tennis won on the night’ – Federer praises Osaka, Gauff attitudes

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Roger Federer has praised the manner in which Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff handled themselves in the wake of the WTA World No.1’s 6-3, 6-0 victory on Saturday.

With her 15-year-old opponent in tears after the match, the two-time Grand Slam winner spent time consoling her on court and advising her to conduct an interview. 

READ MORE: 'Just trying to keep moving forward' - Serena stops Martic to reach US Open quarterfinals

Federer, a veteran of 20 major titles and now into his 56th Grand Slam quarterfinal after beating David Goffin, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0, was left impressed by the attitude of both players.

“In a way tennis won on the night, not just Osaka,” he said. “It was a nice moment. It showed personalities from both players. The way she handled herself at 15, it's incredible. I can't even think being so well-behaved at 15.

“Of course, everything comes crashing down on you. You're exhausted. It's finally over. There's even relief. You're sad about the result. I thought it was a big moment.

“There was huge momentum since Wimbledon with Coco here in the States. It was a great ending in some ways, that interview, rather than maybe just a 6-0 set in the second set, walking out, just getting a great ovation. I think it was a nice way to show that the players care for one another on this tour.”

Serena Williams, who is chasing a 24th Grand Slam crown, was also delighted to see the attitude of the two players.

“I thought it was so sweet and so amazing,” she said. “It's so important I think to have bonds. It's like a real extended family. I was so excited to see that.

“Last year obviously I was comforting Osaka, she was comforting me. There has been many a time I have been extremely outgoing towards my opponent because at the end of the day we're all human and we see each other sometimes more than I see my family.”

Osaka will next face Belinda Bencic in the last 16 and is still on course for a rematch of the 2018 final, with Serena safely through to the quarterfinals, where she will play Wang Qiang.

Source: Wtatennis.com

Powered by NewsAPI.org

Keywords:

Tennis • Roger Federer • Naomi Osaka • Women's Tennis Association • Grand Slam (tennis) • Serena Williams • Petra Martić • US Open (tennis) • Roger Federer • Grand Slam (tennis) • David Goffin • Tennis • Osaka • Nice • The Championships, Wimbledon • Nice • Serena Williams • Grand Slam (tennis) • Osaka • Osaka • Belinda Bencic • Serena Williams • Wang Qiang (tennis) •