Photo: Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
21-year-old tennis phenom, Naomi Osaka, has won her second consecutive Grand Slam title after defeating Petra Kvitová 7–6 (2), 5–7, 6–4 in the 2019 Australian Open final. The win makes Osaka, who was born to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, the first Haitian and the first Japanese player (man or woman) to reach World No.1 since the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) introduced computer rankings in 1975, WTA reports.
“I’m beyond excited to become the new WTA World No. 1,” Osaka said. “I’ve always dreamt of being in this position and I am honored to be part of the elite group of players who have reached the No. 1 ranking.”
Perfect numbers! @Naomi_Osaka_ clinches 2️⃣nd straight Slam and No.1️⃣ranking at #AusOpen #大坂なおみ
Everything you need to know >>>https://t.co/Ffi99OgNEH pic.twitter.com/lRmjgWCJO7
advertisement— WTA (@WTA) January 26, 2019
Coming from being ranked No. 72 just last year, Osaka is now the 6th woman in the Open Era to win her first two major titles back-to-back, and the first woman in 18 years to accomplish the feat. She scored her first historic Grand Slam title at the 2018 U.S. Open, where she became the first Haitian and the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.
In a press conference, Osaka shared: “For me, Grand Slams is something you dream about playing as a kid. I don’t ever want to waste this opportunity. So those are the biggest motivating factors for me.”
She added: “I had dreams that I would win this tournament. Every time I have a dream, somehow I accomplish it, I still feel like it’s a very strange moment. Like, I feel like I’m living right now, but it’s not necessarily real, if that makes sense.”
Photo: WTA
When the new rankings are released on Monday, Osaka will officially become the new WTA World No. 1. Congratulations, Naomi! Keep living out your dreams!