Osaka on Coco Gauff: Let the Girl Play

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Osaka on Coco Gauff: Let the Girl Play

As a 21-year-old Naomi Osaka has dealt with all the attention that comes with being World No.1 and a multi-racial megastar, and passed every test with flying colors.

There are many that thought Osaka’s rise might have come too far too fast, but others feel that you can’t place a governor on growing up. Pressure is part of the job and players might as well get used to it at a young age, right?

Twelve months after her breakthrough win at the US Open, Naomi Osaka has built an endorsement portfolio with more than a dozen partner brands that could net her $30 million. https://t.co/9dmIDiBTLf pic.twitter.com/RYnVoYRBso
— ForbesWomen (@ForbesWomen) August 24, 2019

That’s how Osaka feels about the appearance of 15-year-old Coco Gauff in this year’s US Open draw.

Let the girl play, says Osaka.

“Like, she played so well in Wimbledon. Why wouldn't she play here?” Osaka said. Some have questioned the wisdom of giving Gauff a wild card, but Osaka questions those who question. “I don't get that,” she told reporters on Friday at US Open media day. “Like, come on. This is such a good experience for her. She obviously deserves to play here… she played well in Wimbledon. She's super young.”

Osaka added: “For me, it's kind of the same as if someone plays the US Open juniors just to gain experience for how the main tournament is, you know? Except she can actually play the main tournament. I don't see how it would harm her at all.”

A year on from her breakthrough Grand Slam title at the US Open, Naomi Osaka has emerged as a multiracial, multinational, multilayered star. Here @_MichaelLong profiles the world's most marketable athlete #NaomiOsaka #50MM https://t.co/17PNu045aw
— SportsPro (@SportsPro) August 23, 2019

As far as her own game is concerned, Osaka says she has come a long way in her recovery from the knee injury that forced her to retire from her quarter-final with Sofia Kenin in Cincinnati last week.

“It's getting better,” Osaka said. “I have been playing more, like, longer every day. It's feeling better. Luckily I'm a fast healer, so I think it's looking good.”

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