Naomi Osaka, making her return to Wimbledon after a break from the tournament, took a moment during her press conference to express admiration for fellow tennis star Coco Gauff. The four-time Grand Slam champion, known for her own impact on and off the court, was moved by Gauff’s recent achievements, including her second major title at Roland Garros.
“It’s really cool, I would say, to see how much she’s grown,” Osaka shared, visibly proud of the younger athlete’s evolution. “And it also, I guess, reminds me how much athletes can inspire people. And she inspires me a lot.”
Gauff, now 21, has quickly become one of the defining figures in a new era of women’s tennis. With a powerful presence and remarkable maturity, she added the French Open title to her growing résumé, following her US Open victory in 2023. Her rise has not only impressed fans but also seasoned competitors like Osaka.
For Osaka, Gauff’s recent performances on clay are both a benchmark and a source of motivation. “I hope that, you know, one day I can play as well on clay as she does,” Osaka said, acknowledging Gauff’s strength on a surface that has often posed a challenge for many players.
As Osaka prepares to face Australia’s Talia Gibson in the opening round at Wimbledon, she steps onto the court not just as a competitor but as someone reminded of the enduring influence of sport. In celebrating Gauff’s success, Osaka also reaffirms a universal truth—athletes can uplift, challenge, and inspire, often in ways that reach far beyond the lines of the game.
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Cori Gauff in 2025
37 – 11win/loss
2
High
2
21 year old
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Now ranked no.2 (career-high), the American played her last match on the 1st of January 1970 when she lost to world no.33 Xinyu Wang 6-3 6-3 in the 2nd round in Berlin (draw).
Until now, during this year the American has achieved a composed 31-9 match record. Coco conquered 2 titles in 2025 in Australia and French Open. Gauff got to the final in Madrid and Rome.
Naomi Osaka in 2025
18 – 9win/loss
56
High
1
27 year old
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Now ranked no.56, Osaka played her last match on the 1st of January 1970 when she lost to world no.10 Emma Navarro 6-4 6-4 in the 2nd round in Bad Homburg (draw).
This season Osaka has achieved a compiled 18-9 win-loss record. Naomi conquered 1 title in the Malo. Osaka was the runner-up in Auckland.
Cori Gauff and Naomi Osaka faced off 5 times. The head to head is 3-2 for Gauff.
