Video: Naomi Osaka reflects on ‘stressful’ win over No. 10 Ostapenko at US Open 2024 | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

Naomi Osaka defeated world No. 10 Jeļena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday, her first victory at the tournament since 2021.

“I tried not to cry when I walked out,” she said in her post match interview“Last year I saw Coco (Gauff) play and I wanted so badly to be back on these courts. I didn’t know if I could do it… just to win this match and be in this atmosphere means so much to me.”

“I made a promise to myself to be as confident as possible in who I am,” she said. told reporters for the US Open. “I feel like I’ve had really tough matches all year, and that’s hurt my confidence a little bit. I wouldn’t say I’ve played bad tennis. I would just say I’ve played against really good players and I’ve learned a lot as well.”

“I think it helps me to come to this particular tournament,” she continued. “But also, when I step foot here, I don’t really think about the two tournaments I won. I just think about how I felt when I was a kid. It’s more of a nostalgia from my childhood that I really enjoy.”

She also came up with a memorable performance for her return to the US Open:

Things aren’t getting any easier for Osaka, who faces another tough second-round match against Karolína Muchová on Thursday. But if anything, Osaka seems happy to be back on court for the US Open.