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TOKYO: Japan’s celebrations for Naomi Osaka’s fourth Grand Slam title went into orbit on Saturday (February 20), with an astronaut tweeting congratulations from the International Space Station.
Osaka’s 6-4, 6-3 triumph over American Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open final was acclaimed in Japan and beyond, as astronaut Soichi Noguchi wrote from space “Naomi Osaka, congratulations on the victory.” with a gold medal emoji.
Japanese media said it brought the prospects for a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics delayed by the coronavirus “a big step closer.”
In a large pub in the Japanese capital, there wasn’t a roar of celebration, but there was plenty of excitement from fans at the socially distanced tables.
“She was perfect. I was hoping she would win this game, because she won against Serena (Williams), and it was a good performance,” said Moeko, 40, who describes herself as the “biggest fan” of the Japanese player.
“She is a great player and a good person,” cheerleading coach Moeko told AFP.
Top broadcasters carried the news of the 23-year-old’s latest Grand Slam victory, which was added to victories at the US Open 2018, Australian Open 2019 and US Open 2020.
READ: Four for Osaka: How Naomi’s Grand Slams were won
“Osaka took a big step closer to winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics,” said the Nikkan Sports newspaper of the player, who is one of the main faces of the Games in her home country.
“The Australian victory is a barometer for the gold medal” at the Tokyo Games, where tennis matches are played on the same type of court, the newspaper said, calling Osaka “the queen of hard courts.”
Osaka has said that she is still looking forward to competing in the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed a year by the pandemic and set to open in July.
“It was not easy to prepare during the coronavirus pandemic, but he played excellently,” said Kenichiro Yamanishi, president of the Japan Tennis Association.
“The season has just started before the Tokyo Olympics this summer. I look forward to an even better performance,” Yamanishi said.
At the Tokyo pub, 17-year-old Riko, watching the final with her family, said Osaka was popular with her friends and other young people. “She is amazing,” he said.
Yumi, a 38-year-old paralegal, told AFP that she was sure Osaka would win.
“Of course I am proud,” she said. “Japan is a closed island, but she is completely different … I am very proud of her, as a Japanese.”
“He put in an effort for Black Lives Matter and it can make a huge difference to people’s opinions, not just in Japan but in other Asian countries.”
