Japan's newly‑crowned U.S. Open women's singles champion Naomi Osaka arrived back in Japan today to a hero's welcome.
The 20‑year‑old, who stunned childhood idol and 23‑time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams in straight sets in the U.S. Open final in New York last Sunday, was welcomed home by dozens of fans at Tokyo's Haneda airport.
Osaka at a press conference in Yokohama says that when she got to Japan, and there were a lot of people waiting at the airport, she was really surprised and happy.
In winning the U.S. Open, Osaka, who is of Japanese and Haitian descent, became the first Japanese player, to win a Grand Slam singles title. However, her victory in the final was marred by controversy.
Osaka said she is still getting used to her new role as a Japanese tennis superstar, but is conscious of being at the forefront of the sport in Japan.
[Source: JapanToday]
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