US Open 2024 Results: Naomi Osaka Beats Jelena Ostapenko to Make Triumphant Return to New York

An emotional Naomi Osaka made a triumphant comeback at the US Open by defeating Jelena Ostapenko in a thrilling first round.

Japan’s Osaka is a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows. In 2018, she won her first of four Grand Slam titles in New York and repeated that feat in 2020.

She missed the tournament last year due to the birth of daughter Shai, but watching from the audience rekindled her enthusiasm to compete.

The former world number one struggled against 10th-seeded Latvian Ostapenko, but won 6-3 6-2 in just 63 minutes.

Osaka covered her face with her towel as she cried tears of joy and relief after the victory, becoming emotional again during her on-court interview.

“I tried not to cry when I walked out,” the 26-year-old said.

“I remember watching Coco (Gauff) play last year and I just wanted to be back on those courts.

“I didn’t know if I could do it – athletically, physically, if I could do it. Just to play this game and be in this atmosphere means so much to me, so thank you.”