Japan's celebrations rocket into orbit as Osaka's win takes off

Ms Osaka’s poor Japanese seems not to matter to the high number of Japanese people out there who are fans- being a winner is the key!

Japan's celebrations for Naomi Osaka's fourth Grand Slam title went into orbit Saturday, with an astronaut tweeting congratulations from the International Space Station.

It's a bit exaggerating though Naomi deserves wider celebrations. The most remarkable news coming from the outer space is about the rover landing on Mars.

vanityofvanitiesToday  08:43 am JST

kurispisu

"high number of Japanese people out there"

How could they go there? I thought we could not travel abroad.

we do have Japanese people who live in Australia. As my wife does.

Their posts seem to think that everyone is behaving the same way when I don’t think that there is the same degree of passion in Japan for this tennis player than they wants to feel exists.

One of my coworkers said there was more enthusiasm about Nishikori. I don’t know if this is because he’s regarded as ‘more Japanese’ than Osaka by some, but my coworker did say that older Japanese remember Kimiko Date who I think was a top 5 ranked player at her peak. Nishikori was the first male Japanese player at this kind of level. Maybe that’s got something to do with it.

For me, all the childish patriotic/nationalistic crap surrounding sports makes me cringe anyway. Idiotic.

If that picture is a sign of sports celebrations during a pandemic, god help the Olympics (and all of us who will feel the repercussions).

She certainly is at the top of her game and is very focused and intense but seems to remain very well composed and self confident considering she is still only 23 years old. I am not a big fan of tennis but I enjoyed watching her and noticed some of her serves were clocking in near 150 km/hour (93 mph).

In that photo all I see is ignorant and selfish people...

The man removing his mask just to take a selfie. Plus I can see at least 2 other people with their mask pulled under their chin. The lady with the black mask 'underneath' her nose hoping for a signature. And... lets not forget Naomi also isn't wearing a mask and in close contact with crowd of strangers...

Yumi, a 38-year-old paralegal, told AFP she had been sure Osaka would win.

"Of course I feel proud," she said. "Japan is a closed island, but she is completely different... I am really proud of her, as a Japanese person."

"She made an effort for Black Lives Matter, and she can make a big difference to people's views, not only in Japan but in other Asian countries."

Cannot fault Naomi Osaka PR and marketing strategy.

*Naomi Osaka, who earned just $3.4 million in prize money but landed at No. 1 with $37.4 million thanks to her own massive sponsor roster.....*Forbes

Just $3.4 million, and there's me thinking $3.4 million is in fact a lot of money.

My local Lawson counter assistant might agree, I will ask her today when I drop by.

Look, it’s all good.

Kei Nishikori is good for tennis.

Namoi Osaka is good for tennis.

I like tennis much more than I did when I was a kid and it was EVERYWHERE when I was a kid. I’m originally from Melbourne, and the AO - and test cricket - has dominated summers ever since I can remember.

your desire for people getting hangover drunk to celebrate her win - just like your earlier ‘they’re dancing in the streets’ about her successes - just shows how little understanding of or experience with Japan you have.

Can't speak for the other poster, but over the years I have witnessed baseball, football and (more recently) rugby fans holding their own, when it comes to liquid celebration. Not saying it's the norm but not as rare as you suggest.

Admittedly, the headline might be a bit of hyperbole. But it's part of celebrations in sports to get a bit carried away. As long as it's not by ambulance.

kurispisu

"high number of Japanese people out there"

How could they go there? I thought we could not travel abroad.

Medvedev gave a nice answer to the question about this obsession with national representation: the only thing is to increase popularity of the sport in your country, especially among kids

"Osaka got a big step closer to winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics," the Nikkan Sports daily said of the player, who is a leading face of the Games in her home nation.

It's another great Grand Slam win for her, but I don't see how it is "big step closer" to the Olympic gold. She was very highly ranked already and will be seeded. A "big step closer" would be getting a bye to the semi-finals.

There is only so much fanfare to go around at the Olympics, and I would prefer sports with their own high-profile tournaments, like soccer and tennis, to take a back seat and give minor sports more of the limelight, like they used to.

@Toasted

I simply think “Fighto!” is someone who loves Japan and - from wherever they live -project images about Japan that are based on stereotypes boosted by their japanophilia. Their posts seem to think that everyone is behaving the same way when I don’t think that there is the same degree of passion in Japan for this tennis player than they wants to feel exists.

Yes, it’s hyperbole, but very clearly uninformed hyperbole - Naomi and tennis don’t raise the blood like team does and team sports do.

Way to go, Naomi chan.

Yes, it’s hyperbole, but very clearly uninformed hyperbole - Naomi and tennis don’t raise the blood like team does and team sports do.

Agreed. I didn't see any dancing in the streets like I did for the Samurai Blue, Sakura Japan and even Nadeshiko Japan for that matter. The only individual I have seen mass celebration for was Hideo Nomo.

Regardless of her blended race or nationality or culture, I always cheer for her as an athlete every time she play. I like her playing style... She’s great and hard to beat tennis player,. Congratulations Naomi chan for another Grand Slam trophy and more power to you...Looking forward to watch you play on the court someday.

Congrats. Love Osaka. Hope she remains healthy and continue to inspire people.

A Great win but nowhere near as good tennis as the semi with Serena. In that game Naomi displayed power and skill beyond. The final was a pretty lack-lustre affair with tons of errors.

But her maturing temperament towards the game should see her well positioned to be in the top group for years to come. Actually in many ways she is not dis-similar to Ash Barty the current world # 1. Both display extraordinary grit and have humbleness and appreciation that's not always present in sports.

Also her confidence in speaking about things outside of the sport is refreshing.

And I'm not really sure about all the hoop-la suggesting this is a step to Olympic Gold. A grand slam win will always be recognized as the pinnacle of tennis achievments. Many people question what on earth are Mega Money Sports like tennis, soccer, golf, baseball etc even doing on the olympic schedule.

For my reckoning an olympic tennis medal would be a step to Wimbledon or the US open etc.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ Masterful performance. Congratulations Nao

Too exciting! She remains a role model for all Japan.

She is not wearing her mask and a lot of people in the crowd are not wearing them or wearing them incorrectly. According to all the COVID mask propaganda-ists, she and the others are endangering lives.

In Melbourne? Um, tell me, how many covid cases are there there? What is the likelihood of someone in that picture having covid?

Pretty much zero mate.

Didn't think that one through did you. Try again.

She is the future of women’s tennis. She is humble and polite, and has found her voice on an issue that is important to her. And all the down votes because she doesn’t speak Japanese well.

She was born here to a Japanese woman (same as my kids). She has a Japanese passport (same as my kids) She is Japanese.

Congratulations Naomi! Looked very consistent this tournament.

I simply think “Fighto!” is someone who loves Japan and - from wherever they live -project images about Japan that are based on stereotypes boosted by their japanophilia. Their posts seem to think that everyone is behaving the same way when I don’t think that there is the same degree of passion in Japan for this tennis player than they wants to feel exists.

Fans are passionate and sometimes tend to focus on the positive and might be given to slipping the blinkers on, when it comes to the negative. Fans of sports, countries, music, film, literature etc, etc.

Personally, I "love" both Japan and Naomi Osaka. But not blind to the faults of the former and not aware of any of the latter. Yet.

Yes, it’s hyperbole, but very clearly uninformed hyperbole - Naomi and tennis don’t raise the blood like team does and team sports do.

Everyone has their teams, players and forms of escapism. It's all subjective :-)

I've previously stated my displeasure and boredom with another sport - and someone took great offence. I've learned that one person's joys etc may not be anothers...

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ Masterful performance. Congratulations Naomi.

Great job Ms Osaka!

In one of the most individualistic of all sports, it's great to see an individual like her succeed. Best to her in all she does on and off the court.

Japan's media said it brought prospects of a gold medal at the coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics "a big step closer"

By the way the following was a news headline a week ago:

"Australian Open favourite Naomi Osaka survives two match points to beat Garbine Muguruza and reach last eight as Serena Williams overcomes Aryna Sabalenka"

Hopefully Naomi can handle all the pressure she are getting now and win the Olympic medal. I wonder if she fails to do it, is there going to be any backlash or if she needs to apologise?

Well done Naomi Chan.

I hope that one day she will be able to make an interview in Japanese.

It’s always exciting when a fresh talent comes in and knocks the old guard off their perch.

True, but Naomi-chan has been a pro now for 8 years. She "knocked Serena off her perch" a few years ago to be honest!

Hopefully Naomi can handle all the pressure she are getting now and win the Olympic medal. I wonder if she fails to do it, is there going to be any backlash or if she needs to apologise?

Naomi-chan won't have to apologize to anyone, whether she wins 0, 1 or 2 golds in Tokyo. First Japanese player to win a Major. She is sweet and humble, but has the Japanese "fighting spirit". The home fans will love her regardless.

Gotta love AFP, most Japanese didn't even watch the match. The rating were not good.

You know youre the biggest name in world sports when even people in space are partying after your wins!

A one-sentence congratulatory message is not a party

A lot of very sore heads in Japan this morning after last nights parties, no doubt!

Yes, doubt.

Whilst many people are very pleased with her win, your desire for people getting hangover drunk to celebrate her win - just like your earlier ‘they’re dancing in the streets’ about her successes - just shows how little understanding of or experience with Japan you have.

She is not wearing her mask and a lot of people in the crowd are not wearing them or wearing them incorrectly. According to all the COVID mask propaganda-ists, she and the others are endangering lives.

She sure doesn’t act, look, or speak like a Japanese

She was born in Japanese, to an ethnically Japanese mother, and has Japanese citizenship.

She is Japanese, and therefore she acts, speaks and looks like a Japanese. The problem is that your image of Japanese is not accurate, as it does not include Japanese people such as Osaka.

Well pleased for her. This is only the beginning, I feel.

How strange that posts rightly congratulating her are being downvoted, though.

The only pubs in the Japanese capital are British-themed ones. Japan doesn't have pubs.

Ah, but it does, though. It has pubs in Tokyo and many of the bigger cities, including Irish ones.

As others have said, very bad mask practice in the photo. Naomi was wearing a mask to enter the game, but not while up close and personal with fans. And many of the fans seem to be ‘chin-slinging.’ All pretty chaotic...

She is not wearing her mask and a lot of people in the crowd are not wearing them or wearing them incorrectly. According to all the COVID mask propaganda-ists, she and the others are endangering lives.

You know youre the biggest name in world sports when even people in space are partying after your wins! A lot of very sore heads in Japan this morning after last nights parties, no doubt!

Well done on number 4 Major, Naomi-chan, WELL DONE! Winning Olympic Gold at home (possibly 2 golds) is next challenge.