Coco Gauff displayed remarkable sportsmanship after Naomi Osaka retired due to a lower back injury during their China Open match on Tuesday.
The clash between the two Grand Slam champions ended prematurely with Gauff advancing to the quarter-finals.
Osaka had taken the first set 6-3 and was leading 4-3 in the second before her injury forced her to withdraw.
The match took an unexpected turn as Gauff rallied to win three straight games, including two service breaks, levelling the contest at one set all before Osaka’s retirement.
In a touching display of camaraderie, Gauff carried Osaka’s bags off the court following the match.
The sportsmanlike act drew attention to the strong bonds within the tennis community, even in the face of disappointment and injury.
Coco Gauff helped take Naomi Osaka’s bags off after she suffered a back injury at the China Open
Sky Sports
Gauff, the 20-year-old former US Open champion, expressed her concern for her opponent after the match.
“It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this. Especially at one-set-all,” she said.
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The American also reflected on her own performance, stating, “Overall I tried my best.
“It wasn’t my best tennis.. It was one of those matches where you try your best each point.”
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These comments underscore Gauff’s maturity and sportsmanship, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances while maintaining a focus on her own efforts.
Following her victory, Gauff is set to face Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarter-finals.
Starodubtseva, ranked No 115 in the world, caused an upset by defeating Anna Kalinskaya 7-5 6-0 to secure her place in the next round.
This match-up presents an intriguing challenge for Gauff, as she faces a lower-ranked opponent who has already demonstrated her ability to overcome higher-ranked players in the tournament.
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A lovely gesture from Coco Gauff after Naomi Osaka is forced to retire in the China Open 🥰 pic.twitter.com/hSg7jycx0J
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) October 1, 2024
The quarter-final clash will be closely watched to see if Gauff can maintain her momentum and advance further in the China Open.