Coco Gauff Helps Naomi Osaka After She Withdraws from China Open Match

Coco Gauff showed great sportsmanship during her match at the China Open on October 1, when her opponent, Naomi Osaka, had to stop playing due to a back injury. The match was tied at one set each, and Osaka’s injury gave Gauff the win.

Instead of celebrating, Coco Gauff showed kindness by hugging Osaka and offering to help carry her bag off the court. Osaka was surprised but accepted, and the two walked together to the locker room.

Before the injury, Osaka had won the first set 6-3, but Gauff came back to win the second set 6-4. The match was set to go into a third set when Osaka had to quit, advancing Gauff to the quarterfinals.

Lending a helping hand 💜@CocoGauff helps her opponent off the court after Naomi Osaka is forced to retire due to a lower back injury.

Gauff advances to the #ChinaOpen quarterfinals with the score at 3-6, 6-4, RET. pic.twitter.com/ahm3pavauj

— wta (@WTA) October 1, 2024

After the match, Coco Gauff wished Osaka a quick recovery and admitted that she didn’t play her best. “Nobody wants to win like this, especially when the match was so close,” she said.

Osaka later explained on social media that her back locked up during practice, but she still wanted to play. However, the pain got worse during the match. Despite this, she ended her message on a positive note, saying it was “totally worth it.”

The moment between Coco Gauff and Osaka was a great example of sportsmanship and respect, even in a competitive match.