Federer, a veteran of 20 major titles and now into his 56th Grand Slam quarterfinal after beating David Goffin, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0, was left impressed by the attitude of both players. “In a way tennis won on the night, not just Osaka,” he said. “It was a nice moment. It showed personalities from both players. The way she handled herself at 15, it’s incredible. I can’t even think being so well-behaved at 15.
“Of course, everything comes crashing down on you. You’re exhausted. It’s finally over. There’s even relief. You’re sad about the result. I thought it was a big moment. “There was huge momentum since Wimbledon with Coco here in the States. It was a great ending in some ways, that interview, rather than maybe just a 6-0 set in the second set, walking out, just getting a great ovation.
I think it was a nice way to show that the players care for one another on this tour.”Serena Williams, who is chasing a 24th Grand Slam crown, was also delighted to see the attitude of the two players. “I thought it was so sweet and so amazing,” she said. “It’s so important I think to have bonds. It’s like a real extended family. I was so excited to see that. “Last year obviously I was comforting Osaka, she was comforting me. There has been many a time I have been extremely outgoing towards my opponent because at the end of the day we’re all human and we see each other sometimes more than I see my family.”
Osaka will next face Belinda Bencic in the last 16 and is still on course for a rematch of the 2018 final, with Serena safely through to the quarterfinals, where she will play Wang Qiang. Roger Federer has praised the manner in which Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff handled themselves in the wake of the WTA World No.1’s 6-3, 6-0 victory on Saturday. With her 15-year-old opponent in tears after the match, the two-time Grand Slam winner spent time consoling her on court and advising her to conduct an interview.
