Naomi Osaka is earning major kudos for being an honourable sportsperson both on and off the tennis court.
The reigning US Open champion knocked Cori 'Coco' Gauff out of this year's competition on Sunday, defeating the 15-year-old popular player by two consecutive sets.
Following this year's Wimbledon tournament, wildcard player Gauff won over legions of fans when she unexpectedly defeated Venus Williams as well as a stream of other more experienced players to reach the last 16 in the competition.
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Therefore, a match between the world number one (Osaka) and the exciting newcomer was understandably an in-demand draw.
Following the match, Osaka, who is only 21-years-old herself, walked over to an emotional Gauff to console her and to also ask if she wanted to do a post-match interview together.
The exchange, captured on camera, showed a heartfelt and relatable chat between the two athletes, who were both overcome with emotion after the tiresome game.
'Do you want to do the interview with me?' Osaka asks. 'These people are here for you.'
'Are you sure?' a teary Gauff replied. 'I'm gonna cry.'
'No you're good. Look, you're amazing, seriously,' Osaka reassured her, before tearing up herself. 'I think it's better than going into the shower and crying. We have to let these people know how you feel.'
The camaraderie was noticed by many users on social media including legendary tennis player Billie Jean King as well as British player Katie Boulter, and celebrities and politicians such as Jennifer Garner, Janelle Monáe, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kobe Bryant.
After the match, Osaka became emotional again during an on-court interview as she paid tribute to Gauff's team and parents saying: 'You guys raised an amazing player... I think you guys are amazing and I think, Coco, you're amazing.'
According to the BBC, Gauff later said: 'I was wanting to leave the court because I'm not the type of person who wants to cry in front of everyone. I didn't want to take that moment away from her as well... I'm happy that she kind of convinced me to do it because, I mean, I'm not used to crying in front of everyone.'
Last year, Osaka was embroiled in another sensitive and impassioned match during her US Open final against Serena Williams. After the veteran player disputed the referee's violation and penalty against her, she became upset and frustrated on court, which left both star female players in tears at the end of the match.
Williams later told Harper's Bazaar that she emailed Osaka after the match controversy to apologise as she was struggling to find peace after the turbulent nature of the final.
However, the Japanese player responded to Williams by thanking her for setting an example to other female athletes.
'People can misunderstand anger for strength because they can't differentiate between the two,' Osaka told Williams. 'No one has stood up for themselves the way you have and you need to continue trailblazing.'
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
