By ADAM ZAGORIA
Naomi Osaka continues to endure online abuse after winning the US Open on Saturday over Serena Williams.
After winning her semifinal match on Thursday over Madison Keys, the 20-year-old Osaka posted to Instagram a picture of herself with the caption “finals.”
A mix of abusive and supportive comments have heated up after Osaka beat Williams, 6-2, 6-4, in Saturday’s final that was marked by umpire Carlos Ramos giving Williams three violations — a warning for illegal coaching, a point penalty for smashing her racket and a game penalty for verbal abuse. Williams objected strongly to the suggestion that she was receiving illegal coaching from coach Patrick Mourataglou — who admitted on ESPN he was coaching Serena but didn’t think Serena saw him — and eventually called Ramos a “thief.”
On Instagram, various people critiziced Osaka.
Jphilly55 said, “Maybe one day you’ll earn a grand slam!! Not impressed, you are a disgrace to the sport.”
djcalroyce wrote, “Give the queen her trophy and crown and earn a real win. That’s not fair for a woman to work her ass off and u just take it like it was fair. She was being nice to you..this is not deserved at all. I’m so disappointed in u and the people behind you telling you this is ok.”
vi.dahna wrote, “History will show that you only won because Serena was because accused. You should have never accepted that trophy without a fair match. Great participation trophy!”
Comments on Naomi Osaka’s Instagram. What is wrong with people ? pic.twitter.com/HXcNE3y9Qy
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 9, 2018
Some real winners went so far as to call out Osaka, who was born in Japan and is of Japanese and Haitian descent but now lives in Florida, for not representing the U.S.
“Pathetic!” wrote bonezmarc. “And how do you grow up and train all your life in the states and represent another country. You’re garbage.”
Not everyone insulted Osaka, though.
“You earned it and flogged her,” wrote matt1235813. “True inspiration to women.”
Osaka, who grew up a huge Serena fan, was all class in her post-match interview.
“When I step on the court, I’m not a Serena fan – I’m just a tennis player playing another tennis player. But when I hugged her at the net, I felt like a little kid again.”
“When I step on the court, I’m not a Serena fan – I’m just a tennis player playing another tennis player. But when I hugged her at the net, I felt like a little kid again.”
❤ @Naomi_Osaka_ lets us into her heart…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/GlCigEQUiv
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018
