Courageous Naomi Osaka Withdraws From The French Open To Curtail Any Distraction And Take Some Time Away From The Court -  "...Love You Guys, I'll See You When I See You"

 

 WTF?????? 

As with many other episodes, this is yet another episode of life that is absolutely amazing.  In agreement with Naomi Osaka, "Anger is a lack of understanding, change makes people uncomfortable."

After posting a statement on Twitter May 26th stating her desire to not partake in press conferences during the 2021 French Open, from criticism to being fined, to being threatened to be kicked out of future grand slam tournaments, Naomi took it upon herself to curtail all of the bull and withdraw from the tournament.

Because of addressing issues that she has dealt with mentally based upon past tournament and media dealings, her withdrawal has hoards of individuals commenting as if she is truly mentally ill!!  Human mentality is where we all primarily deal with life issues, but sense we don't have to discuss it in press conferences, we are not labeled mentally ill.

The grand slam tournaments collectively addressing Naomi's sincere and honest desire to not deal with press conferences at this time by slamming her with potential future penalties was so unnecessary.  Get a damn grip!

Naomi, over the past year your constant development in being supportive of any societal issues or individuals that you stand by has been admirable.  You now have that very same support and more from many that return the same love.  

Your life, Your decisions, Your path forward... Stay Strong... YOU'VE GOT THE POWER!! 

 

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2020 US Open Champion Naomi Osaka  (Photo AP: Frank Franklin II)

2020 US Open Champion, 22-year-old Japanese-Haitian Naomi Osaka, refused to allow the loss of the first set to her 31 year old opponent Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, to cost her the 2020 title. Battling in the first set as if it were under a time constraint, Osaka reset her mentality.  She stated, "For me I just thought it would be very embarrassing to lose this in under an hour and I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude."

The eventual win over Azarenka of 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, displayed every ounce of confidence that Osaka possessed and utilized as she gradually restructured her gameplay and turned the tables on Azarenka. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough.

 

"So, yeah, I think definitely I'm more of a complete player now. I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude," she said. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough."

 

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World's highest paid female athlete Naomi Osaka on Wall Street Journal Magazine September 2020 cover.

 

This summer, when the eyes of the world were on Minneapolis in the days following George Floyd’s death, Naomi Osaka flew from Los Angeles to join the protests and commune with people at the street corner where he was killed. Without telling her agent-manager or coach, she decided to pick up and go with her boyfriend, the musician and rapper YBN Cordae.  Continue Reading...

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FLUSHING, N.Y., September 5, 2019 – World No. 1 and 2018 US Open champion Naomi Osaka and 2019 US Open quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman were awarded the women’s and men’s 2019 US Open Sportsmanship Award, respectively, on Thursday. The award is presented to the professional tennis players who best demonstrate excellence in sportsmanship throughout the US Open Series and the US Open.

"Naomi and Diego are both tremendous competitors and athletes, but at this year's US Open, and throughout the entire summer, they have demonstrated a level of sportsmanship that is even more impressive than their play on the court," said Todd Martin, co-chair of the US Open Sportsmanship Award Selection Committee.  "We are incredibly pleased to present them with this year's US Open Sportsmanship Awards, and thank them for being true role models and inspirations for all those that play the game."

Eligibility requirements for winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2019 US Open. Each US Open Sportsmanship Award winner receives a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice.

The USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011. Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court. Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”

The USTA Sportsmanship Award Selection Committee is comprised of USTA representatives, former players and journalists, including Co-Chairs Todd Martin and Lars Rosene, Jon Vegosen, Mary Carillo, Mary Joe Fernandez, Chanda Rubin, Joel Drucker, Steve Flink and Matt Cronin.

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After defeating 15-year-old American Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka not only hugged and comforted her at the net, but shortly thereafter walked over to not only reach out and console the tearful teen, but convinced her to jointly participate in the post-match on court interview.

Mary Jo Fernandez began the interview stating, "Coco, this crowd absolutely loves you. Tell us what Naomi told you at the net."  Gauff replied, "She told me that I did amazing and good luck. And then she asked if I could do the on court interview with her, and I said no, because I knew I was gonna cry the whole time, but she encouraged me to do it."

When asked what the experience had been like playing against Osaka, "I mean it was amazing, I mean she did amazing and I'm gonna learn a lot from this match, and she's been so sweet to me, so thank you for this."

"Once again, thank you Naomi, I don't want people to think that I'm trying to take this moment away from her, because she really deserves it, so thank you."

As Gauff turned and began to walk way, Osaka walked over to give her yet another big sister type of hug.  If you managed not to grab your heart or shed a tear in this moment, you're strong!

Fernandez then addressed Osaka, "You're a class act.  You're used to being the young one, what's it like now being the veteran and mentoring someone, like Coco."

"I don't think I'm a mentor.  I just want to say, if they're still here, you guys raised an amazing player.
I remember I used to see you guys, I don't want to cry ... I remember... I used to see you guys... sorry."

Osaka then began crying as she was speaking to Gauff's parents.  The emotion of this night was unbelieveably palpable.

"I remember I used to see you guys training in the same place as us, and for me, like the fact that both of us made it, and we're both still working as hard as we can, I think it's incredible and I think you guys are amazing, I think Coco you're amazing.

Osaka also said, "I think the energy was crazy, even though it wasn't for me.

Osaka's mother Tamaki, and both of Gauff's parents looked on with so much love, support and adoration on their faces for both of these young ladies.  This is definitely a moment that neither the players, their parents or a single person in the crowd will ever forget.

Nor will I.

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A moment that transcends the sport...#USOpen 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dBQC3EUWX6

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2019

WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL

Serena Williams, USA(8)  vs.  Bianca Andreescu, CAN(15)


WOMEN'S SINGLES SEMI-FINALS

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Elina Svitolina, UKR   6-3, 6-1


WOMEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Qiang Wang, CHN(18)   6-1, 6-0


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 4

Serena Williams, USA(8) def. Petra Martic, CRO   6-3, 6-4

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)   5-7, 4-6

Taylor Townsend, USA vs. Bianca Andreescu, CAN(15)

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def. by  Belinda Bencic, CHE(13)   5-7, 4-6


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 3

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def.  Coco Gauff, USA   6-3, 6-0

Taylor Townsend, USA def. Sorana Cirstea, ROM   7-5, 6-2

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def. Sofia Kenin, USA(20)   6-3, 7-5

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Karolina Muchova, CZE   6-3, 6-2

American Serena Williams on Day 5 of 2019 U.S. Open

- Twenty years ago at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams won the first of her six women's singles titles at the age 17.

- Madison Keys wasn't feeling her best during her third round defeat of American Sofia Kenin. She underwent a courtside doctor's visit during a changeover.


WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 2

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1)  def.  Magda Linette, POL   6-2, 6-4

Coco Gauff, USA  def.  Timea Babos, HUN   6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Taylor Townsend, USA  def. Simona Halep (ROM)   2-6, 6-3, 7(4)-6

Venus Williams, USA  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)   4-6, 4-6

 Madison Keys, USA(10)  def.  Lin Zhu, CHN   6-4, 6-1

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def.  Catherine McNally, USA   5-7, 6-3, 6-1

American Taylor Townsend in 2019 U.S. Open 2nd Round Defeating Romanian Simona Halep

WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND ONE

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1) def. Anna Blinkova, RUS   6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2

Coco Gauff, USA  def.  Anastasia Potapova, RUS   3-6, 6-2, 6-4

Taylor Townsend, USA  def.  Kateryna Kozlova, UKR   3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Sloane Stephens, USA  def. by  Anna Kalinskaya, RUS   3-6, 4-6

Whitney Osuigwe, USA  def. by  Elina Svitolina, UKR   1-6, 5-7

Venus Williams, USA  def.  Saisai Zheng, CHN   6-1, 6-0

Madison Keys, USA(10)  def.  Misaki Doi, 7-5, 6-0

Serena Williams, USA(8)  def. Maria Sharapova, RUS   6-1, 6-1


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND THREE

 Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   6-0, 6-1
                                   def. by
Victoria Azarenka, BLR and Ashleigh Barty, AUS


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   6-3, 7(11)-6(9)
                                  def. 
Nicole Melichar, USA(9) and Kveta Peschke, CZE

Taylor Townsend, USA and Whitney Osuigwe, USA   4-6, 2-6
                                  def. by
Viktoria Kuzmova, SVK and Aliaksandra Sasnovich, BLR


WOMEN'S DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Coco Gauff, USA and Catherine McNally, USA   7(8)-6(6), 6-2
                                  def.
Julia Goerges, GER and Katerina Siniakova, CZE

Hailey Baptiste, USA and Emma Navarro, USA   4-6, 7(7)-6(4), 1-6
                                 def by.
Kristie Ahn, USA and Christina McHale, USA

Taylor Townsend, USA and Whitney Osuigwe, USA   6-2, 6-3
                                   vs.
Bianca Andreescu, CAN and Sharon Fichman, CAN

Asia Muhammad, USA and Raquel Atawo, USA   3-6, 6-4, 2-6
                                 def. by
Daria Kasatkina, RUS and Anett Kontaveit, EST

LAMONF does it!@Gael_Monfils celebrates in serious style after a 5-set thriller over Shapovalov...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/HRJX7sRrgs

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2019

 
MEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def. by  Matteo Berrettini, ITA   6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-(5)-7(7)


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND FOUR

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Pablo Andujar, ESP   6-1, 6-2, 6-2


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND THREE

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Denis Shapovalov, CAN   6(5)-7(7), 7(7)-6(4), 6-4, 6(6)-7(8), 6-3


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND TWO

Gael Monfils, FRA(13)  def.  Marius Copil, ROM   6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Frances Tiafoe, USA  def. by  Alexander Zverev, GER   3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 3-6


MEN'S SINGLES ROUND ONE

Christopher Eubanks, USA  def. by  Cristian Garin, CHL   6-3, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7(4)-6, 3-6

Gael Monfils, FRA  def.  Albert Ramos-Vinolas, ESP   7(2)-6, 6-4, 6-3

Felix Auger-Aliassime, CAN(18)  def. by  Denis Shapovalov, CAN 1-6, 1-6, 4-6

Frances Tiafoe, USA  def.  Ivo Karlovic, HRV   6-2, 6-3, 1-2(Retired)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA  def. by  Tennys Sandgren,USA   6-1, 7(2)-6, 4-6, 6-7(5), 5-7


MEN'S DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Evan King, USA and Hunter Reese, USA   4-6, 2-6
                                  def. by
Marcel Granollers, ESP(8) and Horacio Zeballos, ARG(8)

Raven Klaasen, ZAF(3) and Michael Venus, NZL(3)   4-6, 6-0, 4-6
                                   def. by
Miomir Kecmanovic, SRB and Casper Rudd, NOR


MEN'S DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Tennys Sandren, USA   5-7, 6-3, 3-6
                               def. by
Radu Albot, MOL and Malek Jaziri, TUN

Evan King, USA and Hunter Reese, USA   6-3, 6(5)-7(7), 7(7)-6(2)
                                 def.
Alexander Bublik, KAZ and John Millman, AUS

Raven Klaasen, ZAF(3) and Michael Venus, NZL(3)   6-2, 6-1
                                 def.
Adrian Mannarino, FRA and Gilles Simon, FRA


MIXED DOUBLES ROUND THREE

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   6(3)-7(7) [10], 6-3 [3]
                               def. by
Latisha Chan, TWN(4) and Ivan Dodig, HRV(4)


MIXED DOUBLES ROUND TWO

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   7-5, 7(7)-6(4)
                                 def.
Abigail Spears, USA and Rohan Bopanna, IND

 
MIXED DOUBLES ROUND ONE

Hailey Baptiste, USA and Jenson Brooksby, USA   2-6, 2-6
                                 def. by
Desirae Krawczyk, USA  and Joe Salisbury, GBR

Raquel Atawo, USA and Fabrice Martin, FRA   2-6, 6(10)-4(8)
                                     def.
Anna-Lena Groenefeld, GER(7) and Oliver Marach, AUT(7)

Asia Muhammad, USA and Austin Krajicek, USA   5-7, 4-6
                                    def. by
Demi Schuurs, NLD(6) and Henri Kontinen, FIN(6)

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Danielle Collins, USA   2-6, 2-6
                                   def. by
Hayley Carter, USA and Jackson Withrow, USA

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The Louis Armstrong Stadium was alive with talking, screaming and informative 2019 U.S. Open Championship title hopefuls on Friday morning, as Media Day represented one of the many exciting activities that U.S. Open Fan Week has provided.

The bleachers were filled with fans who frequently drowned out the media, and the player being interviewed, whenever one of their favorite  players appeared.  So much so, that the interviewee would yield to the player being thrown chaotic fan love, at least until the noise level died down.

While most of the players attempted to be as forthcoming and responsive as they could be, surprisingly, at least to me, it was Alexander Zverev that placed the most bottom lined response on the table. In response to being asked about his recent losses and how he felt about the upcoming U.S. Open, he responded, “Personal things that I had outside the court, they were a distraction for me. I mean, as I said in the summer, there are a lot of things that I had to do that I didn't do in the last few years, so obviously those kind of things were a new learning process. I'm still a young guy, still only 22 years old. There are still a lot of things that I needed to learn. Not only on the tennis court but in life, in general."

"Those things I think every young person has to go through. The only difference between me and other young people is that I have to play in front of 20,000 people sometimes. You know, that's a little bit extra on you."

“We'll see how it goes, it's the first time in probably a few years where I'm not a favorite in any way at a Grand Slam, and it takes some pressure off, as well. It's a different mindset for me now. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited." 

Media Day provided a truly informative morning.  To review all player interviews, visit usopen.org

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On Thursday, August 22nd, day four of 2019 U.S. Open Fan Week, the Men's and Women's singles draws were announced. Through commentator and video presentations, each quarter of each draw was reviewed and analyzed.

Much attention was given to the fact that No. 8 seeded Serena Williams will compete against world no. 87 Maria Sharapova in the the first round.

The U.S. Open has broken down both draws completely by quarters.  All player information and related analysis can be read at usopen.org.

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1) vs. A. Blinkova, RUS
WC Coco Gauff, USA vs. Anastasia Potapova, RUS
Sloane Stephens, USA(11) vs. Qualifier
WC Whitney Osuigwe, USA vs. Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)
Venus Williams, USA vs. Saisai Zheng, CHN
Madison Keys,  USA(10) vs. Misaki Doi, JPN
Serena Williams, USA(8) vs. Maria Sharapova, RUS
Taylor Townsend, USA(Q) vs. Kateryna Kozlova, UKR

MEN'S SINGLES

Christopher Eubanks, USA vs. Cristian Garin, CHI(31)
Gael Monfils, FRA(13) vs. Albert Ramos-Vinolas, ESP
Felix Auger-Aliassime, CAN(18) vs. Dennis Shapovalov, CAN
Frances Tiafoe, USA vs. Ivo Karlovic, CRO
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. Tennys Sandgren, USA

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Serena Williams during 2018 U.S. Open in disagreement with Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos after being accused of cheating.

(Associated Press) Almost a full 12 months later, with first-round play beginning Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that 1-hour, 19-minute contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus, according to the Associated Press.

“We’ve decided that there are over 900 other matches and Carlos, for 2019, will not be in the chair for a Williams sisters match,” U.S. Tennis Association executive Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. “We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes.”

Says Allaster: “I understand it’s polarizing, but ultimately, we have to look at how tennis competes and is relevant. ... Access is a key part of it; engagement with fans that want to hear from the players and coaches.”

Says Patrick Mouratoglou: “I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed.”  Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year’s final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.   Full story here.

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Americans Venus Williams and Madison Keys in quarterfinals of 2019 Western and Southern Open.

American Madison Keys is into the semifinal round of the 2019 Western and Southern Open after winning the quarterfinal match against fellow American Venus Williams, 6-2, 6-3.

Keys made no changes in her gameplay from last night, remaining focused, hitting powerful precision shots and playing all offense, all the time.

The 'hurry-up' mode that Keys tends to play in has, in the past, often been detrimental to her match survival - not lately.  She appears to have applied new strategy to the process and is making it work.

Post match Keys stated, "I think I knew from the start that Venus was going to bring a lot of power, and I had to be ready for that - and more than that, I think my serve really helped me out at times."

In Saturday's semifinal on Center Court, Keys will go up against another American whose game is also fierce, Sofia Kenin.  Kenin advanced to the semifinals after world #1 Naomi Osaka retired from their quarterfinal match in the third set.

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Naomi Osaka's title defense ended with a trouncing from the No. 23 seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.  In 65 minutes, Bencic blew through the match taking Naomi out at 6-3, 6-1... WHOA!!

This is the second event that lead Bencic to defeating a World No. 1. In 2015 Bencic defeated Serena Williams and went on to win the Toronto Rogers Cup.

With today's loss Naomi will continue to retain her World No. 1 ranking through Miami.

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World No. 1 Naomi Osaka joins the group of powerful and inspiring women who are already part of Barbie’s “Sheroes” initiative.

 “Growing up, I’ve had a lot of role models and I think that’s really important because that’s sort of like a goal that you set,” Osaka explains. “I think having a really good female role model is really good for kids. I feel like it’s a really big responsibility, but in a way, I’m also really honored, and I won’t take it for granted.”

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So honored to be selected as a Barbie Role Model to help inspire the next generation of girls. Feels surreal because I played with barbies as a kid, never imagined to have one modeled after me 😳🙏❤️ @barbie #Barbie60 #youcanbeanything #barbie

A post shared by Naomi Osaka 大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) on Mar 7, 2019 at 9:58am PST

 “In athletics they have this statistic that girls drop out of sports quicker than boys, and for me I feel sad hearing that because of course I’m a professional athlete,” Osaka says. “I hope that girls feel inspired, and I hope they somehow see a lot of possibilities when they look at all the dolls.”

In conjunction with the release of Osaka’s doll, Barbie — which is celebrating its 60th anniversary — plans to donate $1 from any doll sold, up to 250,000, to the Dream Gap Project, an initiative that raises awareness about the limiting factors girls face when trying to accomplish their dreams. And when it comes to those dreams, Osaka wants young girls to know they should never give up, and never let society make them wonder “what if.”

“You wake up every day and you have a dream and you can only try to accomplish that dream,” she says. “For me, I just feel like I like to live without regrets and that’s always been my motto.”

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It's @Naomi_Osaka_'s world and we're just living in it 🌎#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/g86C06FdcT

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 6, 2019

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This time last year, the story unfolding in the 2018 WTA season revolved around the return of serve. Twelve months on and it's the serve that has set the current Top 10 apart from the field.

Current WTA Top 10

1. Naomi Osaka (9-2)
2. Simona Halep (10-4)
3. Petra Kvitova (17-4)
4. Sloane Stephens (5-4)
5. Karolina Pliskova (13-3)
6. Elina Svitolina (9-4)
7. Kiki Bertens (10-5)
8. Angelique Kerber (7-4)
9. Aryna Sabalenka (12-4)
10. Serena Williams (4-1)

In 2018, the start of the season was dominated by counter-punchers and aggressive counter-punchers. Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and Elina Svitolina swept the biggest tournaments in Australia, before Petra Kvitova tore through February. This season has been about the power players, highlighted by Naomi Osaka, Kvitova, and Karolina Pliskova picking up the big titles Down Under.

Champions at Premier or higher events: 2018 vs. 2019

Brisbane International
2018: Elina Svitolina (d. Sasnovich)
2019: Karolina Pliskova (d. Tsurenko)

Sydney International
2018: Angelique Kerber (d. Barty)
2019: Petra Kvitova (d. Barty)

Australian Open
2018: Caroline Wozniacki (d. Halep)
2019: Naomi Osaka (d. Kvitova)

St. Petersburg
2018: Petra Kvitova (d. Mladenovic)
2019: Kiki Bertens (d. Vekic)

Qatar Total Open
2018: Petra Kvitova (d. Muguruza)
2019: Elise Mertens (d. Halep)

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
2018: Elina Svitolina (d. Kasatkina)
2019: Belinda Bencic (d. Kvitova)

Read full post at WTA

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Take heed, Naomi is working it out!

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The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole 🌘

A post shared by Naomi Osaka 大坂なおみ (@naomiosakatennis) on Feb 23, 2019 at 5:45am PST

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World No. 1 Naomi Osaka at 2019 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

The Australian and US Open champion, 21, was beaten 6-3 6-3 by France's Kristina Mladenovic in the Dubai Tennis Championships second round.

It was her first match since since splitting with Sascha Bajin last week.

Asked if she could block out reaction to the news she said, "I couldn't. This match is the result of that."

"I'm pretty sure as time goes on you guys will stop talking about it. For now, it's like the biggest tennis news, I guess.

"It's a little bit hard because I feel like people are staring at me, and not like in a good way."

"For sure there's no one that really thinks losing is fun," Osaka said during the Japanese portion of her press conference. "But for me, I've always been taught that when you lose, you learn more than when you win. I try to take that as really important advice because I think it is true."

Osaka, who had a bye in the first round, lost in 66 minutes in round two against a player who had not won a match this year before this tournament.

Despite the loss, Osaka will head to Indian Wells with the No.1 ranking intact as she prepares for another career milestone: defending a title for the first time in her career.

"I'm not really sure [how I'll feel] because I've never been a defending champion," Osaka said. "Hopefully I remember all the good times that I've had there, somehow start feeling better about myself.

"But I can't really say until I get there."

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World No. 1 Naomi Osaka consulting with now former coach Sascha Bajin.

Thank you Naomi 🙏🏽 I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this.

— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) February 11, 2019

Major decision making can be necessary as we move forward in life. It appears that World No. 1 Naomi Osaka has done just that. Osaka's announcement today via Twitter, "Hey everyone, I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future", has sent a slight rumble through the world of tennis.

Osaka and Coach Bajin have collaborated victoriously in the last two grand slams with Osaka earning the World No. 1 spot after the Australian Open. The two have been working together since October 2017 and created a swift, yet incredible journey.

Bajin responded cordially, “Thank you Naomi. I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this”.

Now what? Who? We shall see...

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【CM】 #大坂なおみ 選手出演の新しいブランドCMを公開しました！ . @naomiosakatennis #NaomiOsaka #🚙 #nissan #日産 #ニッサン #5523 #nissanjapan

A post shared by 日産自動車株式会社 (@nissanjapan) on Feb 5, 2019 at 7:13pm PST

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２月からオンエア開始した #大坂なおみ 選手出演の弊社ブランドCMの舞台裏映像を公開！ . #NaomiOsaka #nissan #日産 #nissanjapan #5523

A post shared by 日産自動車株式会社 (@nissanjapan) on Feb 6, 2019 at 5:59pm PST

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Found this in the archives. A few days late but congrats to you @naomiosakatennis !!

A post shared by Sloane Stephens (@sloanestephens) on Jan 31, 2019 at 10:41am PST

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