MATCH REPORT | 2024 US Open as Naomi Osaka makes statement in many ways against Jelena Ostapenko

Four years since her second US Open title, Naomi Osaka was in action and back towards her best against Jelena Ostapenko at the 2024 US Open. It was a resounding 6-3, 6-2 win from the former World No.1

Getting emotional on the court afterwards, Osaka marked her return to New York after maternity leave in the place where she announced her intention to return with victory.

From Danielle Collins snubbing her farewell, it was more feel good on Louis Armstrong as Osaka won in barely an hour and it served as a reminder of her epic brilliance.

But also the same can be said about her outfit. She wore a statement outfit onto court made by AMBUSH and Nike her sponsor and it helped make thus a statement on court too. She swaggered around the court and beat Ostapenko with relative ease.

In the opening set, she didn't make a single unforced error in a 6-3 close scoreline but more resounding than it sounded. She won 7/9 points on her second serve. Her service dominance continued as she fired three straight aces to go 3-1 up. She found herself serving for the match at 5-2 up. She wobbled but found her way through albeit after missing two points on deuce. One crowd member shouted icon on match point and it certainly was warranted. Osaka slaying on court in many years on her New York return.

Crying as she spoke on court afterwards, it was an emotional result but one Osaka loved. “I was trying not to cry when I walked out. Last year I watched coco play and I so badly wanted to step on these courts again. I don’t know if I could. I don’t know if athletically physically if I was able to. Just to win this match and to be in this atmosphere means so much to me. So thank you.”