Melbourne: Newly-crowned 2021 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said on Saturday it was a "super privilege" to play in a Grand Slam in front of fans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Thank you for coming and watching, it feels really incredible for me. I did not play my last Grand Slam (at the 2020 U.S. Open) with fans so, just to have this energy, it really means a lot. Thank you so much for coming. Yeah, thank you for opening your hearts and your arms towards us, and for sure, I feel like playing a Grand Slam right now is a super privilege and it is something that I will not take for granted. So thank you for this opportunity," Osaka said.
Also Read: Watch: Osaka tops Brady at Australian Open for 4th Grand Slam title
Osaka defeated Jennifer Brady in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 to win the women's singles title at Melbourne Park for her second Australian Open crown, and fourth Grand Slam triumph overall.
