Naomi Osaka's Emotional Goodbye with Labubu at US Open

New York, Sep 5 (AP)

Naomi Osaka's last “Labubu” moment at the U.S. Open was her own distinctive creation.

For Osaka, the disappointment of being one match shy of the final weighed heavily.

At her press conference early Friday, following her narrow 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 semifinal defeat against Amanda Anisimova, the four-time Grand Slam champion expressed her emotions: "Oh, don't make me cry, man," said Osaka. "Oh my God, that's the most heart-wrenching question."

Throughout the Flushing Meadows tournament, Osaka carried different versions of a beloved plush toy attached to her racket bag. Each day, they bore imaginative names like Billie Jean Bling (honoring Billie Jean King), Althea Glitterson (a tribute to Althea Gibson), and Arthur Flashe (after Arthur Ashe, the main stadium's namesake).

Osaka shared that had she made it to Saturday's final, her Labubu would have been adorned in a style reminiscent of the green skirt she sported last year, when she triumphed in 2018 and 2020. The outfit also featured a green bow over the white jacket she wore onto the court.

"I would have had the bow, and I'm truly heartbroken about it," Osaka remarked. "Oh, my God, that’s the worst thing. Honestly, I can handle losing, but don’t bring up the Labubu. Yeah, it would have been my representation."

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