Naomi Osaka trailed Victoria Azarenka by a set and faced a break point that would have put her down 3-0 in the second set of the US Open women’s championship on Saturday.
And then the 22-year-old star rallied … big time.
Osaka stormed back to win the second and third sets to claim her third Grand Slam singles title with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
From her performance to her advocacy — Osaka wore a mask with the name of a different Black person who was a victim of racial injustice and police brutality to each of her seven US Open matches — the sports world saluted the phenom.
GREAT COMEBACK!! Congrats @naomiosaka! ??✊?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 12, 2020
Wow what a women’s final! Congrats champ @naomiosaka ??? and mad respect to @vika7 on an incredible incredible comeback! Two strong fighters! ???? @usopen
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) September 12, 2020
Naomi Osaka for the win!!!! ✨?
used her platform beautifully AND won it all… LOVE TO SEE IT!@naomiosaka
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) September 12, 2020
Congratulations to @naomiosaka, the 2020 @usopen women’s singles champion!
A tremendous Final by both players, with incredible effort by @vika7.
Our sport just keeps getting better! #USOpen https://t.co/FEKZlfE3cX
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 12, 2020
????????@naomiosaka ?????????????????????????? https://t.co/agyA5XqlFn
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) September 12, 2020
When you leave it all on the court and take a moment to take it all in!! Way to go @naomiosaka ???? Keep Pushin Love ?? We’re with you ?✊? pic.twitter.com/qRZNCDRl1v
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) September 12, 2020
Social justice and sports do mix – and quite nicely- congratulations @naomiosaka !!! #USOpen2020 Champion!!!
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 12, 2020
? ?? Yasssss Take a Moment!
You did it!
? ???@NaomiOsaka wins #UsOpen2020
?????????
(Shoutout to @vichka35 for bringing the inner mama & fighting the good fight with all your ❤️) https://t.co/h4m53cryda— nicoleariparker (@nicolearip) September 12, 2020
I want that @naomiosaka unbotheredness ?? #champdna
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) September 12, 2020
Oh yes @naomiosaka. Asked what message she wanted to send with the masks she wore bearing the names of Black ppl killed by police responds: “Well, what message did YOU get?” #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1aaYc5SEoi
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) September 12, 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka for winning the @usopen! Great fight @vika7! You both were amazing ? #tennis #usopen #wta
— Shaun T (@ShaunT) September 12, 2020
Naomi Osaka is officially a two-time US Open champion ? !!!!!@naomiosaka #USOpen https://t.co/6ujAxGBWuz
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) September 12, 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka What a performance from a set down in the finals. Thank you for your voice and impressive tennis.
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 12, 2020
Fighting all the way, congratulations on winning your third Slam @naomiosaka. There will be many more. ? https://t.co/Ru1lZoaRCq
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 12, 2020
Well done @naomiosaka on a great fight… and what a great couple of weeks @vika7 proud to have witnessed it all!! @usopen @espn pic.twitter.com/4xcHsNa2sz
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 12, 2020
