Naomi Osaka showed a champion's heart in coming back from a set down to win the 2020 U.S. Open women's singles title Saturday. She displayed a certain . . . mentality.
After Osaka had celebrated her victory over Victoria Azarenka, she returned to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to take photos while holding the championship trophy. She came out wearing a Kobe Bryant No. 8 Lakers jersey.
Osaka said the jersey was a motivational tool as she grinded through two weeks of major-championship tennis under the Open's bubble. "I truly think it gave me strength," she wrote on Twitter. Her Twitter background image is a black-and-white photo of Bryant in his No. 24 jersey.
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
MORE: Osaka delivers latest social justice message with Tamir Rice mask
A Twitter user responded with a photo of Osaka and Bryant, who watched Osaka play in last year's U.S. Open.
I think Kobe would be so proud of you 🥰 pic.twitter.com/vNTIKaVB5x
— Mychal (@mychal3ts) September 13, 2020
Osaka was shown wearing the jersey after her semifinal victory over Jennifer Brady on Thursday.
.@NaomiOsaka in the stands wearing a Kobe jersey after advancing to the #USOpen final 💛💜 pic.twitter.com/SZmUoXfyYt
— ESPN (@espn) September 11, 2020
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash last Jan. 26 in Southern California. The group was traveling to Gianna's AAU basketball game.
