Osaka pays tribute to Kobe after US Open title win
Naomi Osaka wears a Kobe Bryant jersey after her third Grand Slam win, honoring the late NBA great she calls her ‘big brother’
Naomi Osaka paid tribute to late NBA great Kobe Bryant after capturing her second US Open title by wearing his Los Angeles Lakers jersey.
Osaka donned the No. 8 jersey Bryant sported during the first half of his NBA career as she remembered the man she calls her “big brother” following her third Grand Slam win.
“I wore this jersey every day after my matches. I truly think it gave me strength. Always,” Osaka wrote on Twitter followed by gold and purple hearts, which represent the Lakers’ colors.
I wore this jersey every day after my matches. I truly think it gave me strength. Always 💛💜 pic.twitter.com/R1pTUCaCgq
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 13, 2020
With Bryant as inspiration, Osaka bucked off a lethargic start to dispatch former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The Japanese became the first woman since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1994 to come back from a set down and win the US Open as she remained undefeated in major finals.
“I just want to be the type of person that he thought I was going to be. He thought I was going to be great, so hopefully, I will be great in the future,” Osaka said of Bryant.
Aside from Bryant, Osaka also commemorated Black victims of police brutality and racial injustice – among them George Floyd and Breonna Tayor – by wearing masks bearing their names.
In the final against Azarenka, Osaka honored Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy shot by a white police officer.
– Breonna Taylor
– Elijah McClain
– Ahmaud Arbery
– Trayvon Martin
– George Floyd
– Philando Castile
– Tamir RiceNaomi Osaka won the US Open and used her platform while doing it. 👏#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/x3vNONC0HR
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 12, 2020
I definitely know prince will be out today 🤷