Naomi Osaka won the US Open title on Saturday.GETTY IMAGES
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a grand slam tennis singles title on Saturday at the US Open, "sparking celebrations among her family and compatriots," according to KYODO. Osaka's 73-year-old grandfather Tetsuo told reporters at his home in Nemuro, Hokkaido, that "he and his wife were ecstatic after watching their granddaughter's 6-2, 6-4 victory" over Serena Williams on TV. He said that Osaka called them after the match to tell them about it, adding that "he hopes her achievement will lift the spirits of local people still reeling from a recent powerful earthquake." Japan PM Shinzo Abe took to Instagram to praise Osaka's accomplishment, saying, "At difficult times like now, thank you for the energy and inspiration." Kazuki Nakadate, 26, said that he "never expected a Japanese to win the tournament." He said, "She showed a bullish attitude even toward a legend like Serena Williams." At the Tokyo head office of Nissin Foods Holdings Co., one of Osaka's sponsors, about 150 people watched the match on a large-screen TV. A fan named Shuichi Fukushima said, "She has inspired Japan at a time when the country is reeling in the aftermath of the Hokkaido quake and torrential rain in western Japan." People in Haiti, the homeland of Osaka's father, also "celebrated her win" (KYODO, 9/9).
