Naomi Osaka trailed Victoria Azarenka by a set and faced a break point that would have put her down 3-0 in the second set of the US Open women’s championship on Saturday.
And then the 22-year-old star rallied … big time.
Osaka stormed back to win the second and third sets to claim her third Grand Slam singles title with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
From her performance to her advocacy — Osaka wore a mask with the name of a different Black person who was a victim of racial injustice and police brutality to each of her seven US Open matches — the sports world saluted the phenom.
Inspired by Kobe
Reaction from George Floyd’s family
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Members of George Floyd’s family sent a congratulatory message to Naomi Osaka after she won her second US Open title Saturday. Osaka has been speaking out against social injustice and police brutality over the past two weeks of the event.
LeBron, tennis stars congratulate Osaka
GREAT COMEBACK!! Congrats @naomiosaka! 🙏🏾✊🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 12, 2020
Wow what a women’s final! Congrats champ @naomiosaka 👏🏻🏆 and mad respect to @vika7 on an incredible incredible comeback! Two strong fighters! 💪🏻💪🏻 @usopen
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) September 12, 2020
Naomi Osaka for the win!!!! ✨🏆
used her platform beautifully AND won it all… LOVE TO SEE IT!@naomiosaka
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) September 12, 2020
Congratulations to @naomiosaka, the 2020 @usopen women’s singles champion!
A tremendous Final by both players, with incredible effort by @vika7.
Our sport just keeps getting better! #USOpen https://t.co/FEKZlfE3cX
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 12, 2020
💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍@naomiosaka 👍👍👍💪💪💪🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵👍👍💪💪🇯🇵🇯🇵🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/agyA5XqlFn
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) September 12, 2020
When you leave it all on the court and take a moment to take it all in!! Way to go @naomiosaka 🇭🇹🇯🇵 Keep Pushin Love 💪🏾 We’re with you 🖤✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/qRZNCDRl1v
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) September 12, 2020
Social justice and sports do mix – and quite nicely- congratulations @naomiosaka !!! #USOpen2020 Champion!!!
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 12, 2020
🎾 💪🏽 Yasssss Take a Moment!
You did it!
🏆 🏆🏆🏆@NaomiOsaka wins #UsOpen2020
🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎
(Shoutout to @vichka35 for bringing the inner mama & fighting the good fight with all your ❤️) https://t.co/h4m53cryda— nicoleariparker (@nicolearip) September 12, 2020
I want that @naomiosaka unbotheredness 🤣🤣 #champdna
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) September 12, 2020
Oh yes @naomiosaka. Asked what message she wanted to send with the masks she wore bearing the names of Black ppl killed by police responds: “Well, what message did YOU get?” #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1aaYc5SEoi
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) September 12, 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka for winning the @usopen! Great fight @vika7! You both were amazing 🎾 #tennis #usopen #wta
— Shaun T (@ShaunT) September 12, 2020
Naomi Osaka is officially a two-time US Open champion 🏆 !!!!!@naomiosaka #USOpen https://t.co/6ujAxGBWuz
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) September 12, 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka What a performance from a set down in the finals. Thank you for your voice and impressive tennis.
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 12, 2020
Fighting all the way, congratulations on winning your third Slam @naomiosaka. There will be many more. 🚀 https://t.co/Ru1lZoaRCq
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 12, 2020
Well done @naomiosaka on a great fight… and what a great couple of weeks @vika7 proud to have witnessed it all!! @usopen @espn pic.twitter.com/4xcHsNa2sz
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 12, 2020