Japan’s Naomi Osaka battled past Petra Kvitova 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-4 to win her first Australian Open crown on Saturday. With the win, Osaka also became the top-ranked player, dislodging Simona Halep at the top of the tree.
The fourth seed and US Open champion made it two Grand Slam titles in a row, a rare feat in the women’s game today. Kim Clijsters was the last to achieve this feat, back in 2010-11 other than 23-time Major winner Serena Williams of course.
At 21, Osaka has a world at her feet and her rapid rise to the top over the past year has been nothing short of astounding. One of the most remarkable statistics that came out after the win: Osaka was at a lowly 72 when the 2018 Australian Open started. Now, she rules the tennis world.
During the US Open win, Osaka stood out by matching Serena’s power and mixing it up with superior athleticism. At Melbourne, Osaka displayed nerves of steel to stay in the hunt and to the better of Kvitova. Here’s how Twitter paid tribute to Osaka’s record triumph.
Naomi Osaka is the 26th player in history of the WTA to become No. 1:
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 26, 2019
Evert
Goolagong
Navratilova
Austin
Graf
Seles
Sánchez
Hingis
Davenport
Capriati
Venus
Serena
Clijsters
Henin
Mauresmo
Sharapova
Ivanovic
Jankovic
Safina
Wozniacki
Azarenka
Kerber
Pliskova
Muguruza
Halep
Osaka
👍💪👊 @Naomi_Osaka_ 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍👊👊👊👊🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵 https://t.co/78hOF0NLQ8
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) January 26, 2019
So I guess we did it? 😳 #TeamOsaka #AndNewNr1
— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) January 26, 2019
Naomi Osaka has now won 6️⃣0️⃣ consecutive matches when winning the first set #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qwKhYf9Hi3
— ITF (@ITF_Tennis) January 26, 2019
Well, after winning the #usopen2018 Naomi Osaka became a star. And now, after winning the #australianopen and becoming world #1, she is a superstar! Congratulations Champ. And @Petra_Kvitova - you are the champion of life!!!
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 26, 2019
Before last year's US Open, Naomi Osaka was around 160th in career WTA earnings.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 26, 2019
She's now around 36th, give or take a couple spots.
Not a bad five months.
2 majors in a row! This time she’s been “allowed” to enjoy the moment. Much deserved #OsakaKvitova #AustralianOpen
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 26, 2019
Naomi Osaka was ranked #72 at the Australian Open last year. She is now the world number one with two slams. What the hell.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 26, 2019
Naomi Osaka's first three titles across juniors, ITFs and tour events:
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 26, 2019
Indian Wells (Premier Mandatory)
US Open
Australian Open
Naomi Osaka is the next gen player we needed #AustralianOpen
— Fatima 🌧 (@rogerbestbystat) January 26, 2019
Naomi Osaka was overshadowed when she won her first grand slam. So she just won the next slam too to let everyone know.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) January 26, 2019
If you're a future Naomi Osaka late tournament opponent, and she wins tonight, you're wishing she'd have breezed in straights. Coming through such a crucible forges a new level of belief. #AusOpen #AusOpen2019
— DoctoreDiripioRubrum (@SportsDroppings) January 26, 2019
Gosh, Osaka's forehand is brilliant #AusOpen
— Kumi Taguchi | 田口久実 (@kumitaguchi) January 26, 2019
Standing ovation 👏 what a regroup from Double Osaka so Impressive her mental fortitude to put behind that 2nd set
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 26, 2019
Still early stages in her career, but if Osaka comes back here and still wins after that complete meltdown, she might become an all-time great.
— Matter Tips Tennis (@MatterTipTennis) January 26, 2019
Congratulations @Naomi_Osaka_ . A superb achievement and truly deserve on becoming World No1..@WTA pic.twitter.com/OQmt717c4n
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) January 26, 2019
Thanks to both women @Naomi_Osaka_ and @Petra_Kvitova for an amazing final @AustralianOpen
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) January 26, 2019
We are not worthy of Naomi Osaka or Petra Kvitova, but goodness do I feel grateful that we get to watch them.
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) January 26, 2019
#Osaka (US 2018-AO 2019) is only the 3rd woman in the past 15 years to win consecutive Grand Slams, after Serena Williams (3 occasions) and Kim Clijsters (US 2010-AO 2011).#ausopen
— Gracenote Olympic (@GracenoteGold) January 26, 2019
By winning #AusOpen, Naomi Osaka breaks a streak of eight different major winners in the previous eight tournaments:
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 26, 2019
🐨2017 Serena
🐌2017 Ostapenko
🍓2017 Muguruza
🗽2017 Stephens
🐨2018 Wozniacki
🐌2018 Halep
🍓2018 Kerber
🗽2018 Osaka
🐨2019 Osaka