Black Tennis Pros

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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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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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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Wow, wow, and just wow.  World No. 1 Serena Williams has nothing left to prove, yet she continues to prove over and over again that she is indeed the undisputed queen of the courts.

The 33-year-old Williams entered the Rod Laver Arena along with her championship-match-opponent, Russian Maria Sharapova, appearing as confident as she has been throughout this tournament ~ all in the midst of suffering with a cold.

Serena is self possessed at this time of her career in a way that she has not been in earlier years. She is a truly incredible athlete to watch as she continues to mature in the sport that she has virtually owned for such a long time now.

In winning her 19th Grand Slam singles title, she defeated Sharapova 6-3, 7-6(5) for the 16th consecutive time.

The legendary tennis star is incredible to watch as she simply will not bow down to age, new talent, or even illness. The lady is simply poetry in motion.

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