Six years can change everything in tennis. When Coco Gauff first faced Naomi Osaka at the 2019 US Open, she was a 15-year-old dreamer hoping to make her mark. As they prepare to meet again in the 2025 US Open fourth round, both former champions carry the weight of history and completely different journeys since that emotional night under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights.
Coco Gauff Reflects on Her Last US Open Match With Naomi Osaka and Their Bond
Gauff’s upcoming match with Osaka brings back memories of their much-talked-about US Open clash in 2019. Back then, Osaka was the defending US Open champion, while 15-year-old Gauff was just starting out in her first US Open and second Grand Slam tournament. Under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Osaka defeated Gauff 6-3, 6-0 quite easily.
What happened after the last point became even more memorable than the match itself. Gauff got emotional and broke into tears on court. But Osaka walked over, hugged her, and urged her to speak to the crowd, a gesture not often seen in tennis.
Since then, both players’ careers have taken very different paths. Osaka won two more Grand Slam titles, became an ambassador for mental health, stepped away from tennis at times, and became a mother. Meanwhile, Gauff has risen as a champion in her own right. She won the US Open in 2023 and the French Open in 2025.
After her third-round victory against Magdalena Frech, Gauff was asked about the 2019 match with Osaka and what she remembers about that moment. The American replied:
“I remember it was a tough moment for me because it was a hyped up match. And I remember looking back at it, I guess I put way too much pressure on myself thinking I maybe had a chance in that moment to actually do something, which I definitely did, but I think I felt more of expectation that I should than maybe belief.”
Gauff added, “Naomi and I, we aren’t like super close or anything, but we’re definitely friendly with each other. And I support her from afar and all the things that she’s done on and off the court.”
Osaka also remembers noticing how talented and composed Gauff was at such a young age. During her recent press interview, she said, “I remember just knowing that she was going to be a really great tennis player, which I was right. But yeah, I mean, she was what, 15 at the time? And I thought she just handled herself really well, and I knew she was going to be back there.”
What Does Their Head-to-Head Record Tell Us About This Matchup?
The 2025 US Open fourth round will mark the sixth meeting between Gauff and Osaka. Osaka dominated their first match in 2019, but Gauff struck back at the 2020 Australian Open. Osaka then managed to secure a win at Cincinnati in 2021, but Gauff has been winning since then. Right now, Gauff leads their head-to-head 3-2.
Both players have had strong 2025 US Open campaigns so far. Both have two straight-set victories and one third-set win under their belts. Gauff has improved her serve, which has long been a challenge for her throughout her career. She has been cutting down double faults and relying on her athleticism to push through tough matches.
Meanwhile, Osaka has bounced back strongly after taking time off for mental health and maternity leave. Her recent win over Daria Kasatkina showed a powerful return game that’s clearly back in form. In this tournament, she has been taking control of rallies with her aggressive forehand, the shot that made her famous.
Naomi Osaka is ready for her Round 4 match against Coco Gauff, who is considers to be a little sister 💙 pic.twitter.com/YCueVQPEQN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2025
This match may come down to how well Gauff handles her serve against Osaka’s return game. Gauff still leads the WTA in double faults, though she has been cutting them down lately during this tournament. Osaka will be ready to test that progress with her aggressive return game that can turn defense into attack instantly.
History also favors a fast start between these two. Almost every time they have played, the winner of the first set has won the match. That makes the opening games crucial for both players as they write the next chapter of their rivalry.
