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Naomi Osaka Explains Why She Apologized While Accepting Her U.S. Open Trophy

On Saturday (September 8), after an incredible whirlwind journey through the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Naomi Osaka took home her first Grand Slam championship trophy by defeating her idol, Serena Williams, in two sets. The 20-year-old’s victory was somewhat tainted, however, by the controversy that arose between Williams and the presiding umpire during the match, which resulted in Williams automatically losing first one point and then an entire game in the second set (punishments that Williams promptly labeled sexist. While receiving her trophy after the match, Osaka was visibly upset and, during her acceptance speech, apologized to the crowd. In an interview with the Today show on Monday morning (September 10), the athlete discussed the controversial match and her ensuing reactions.

Osaka said that, as Williams’ penalties rolled in, she wasn’t entirely sure what was happening. “I didn’t really know what was going on because I went to the back and I had my back turned. And then, before I knew it, she was saying there was a game penalty, so I was a little bit confused throughout the whole thing,” she said. The confusion continued as the match ended and the crowd began booing, presumably at umpire Carlos Ramos. “I felt a little bit sad because I wasn’t really sure if they were booing at me or if it wasn’t the outcome that they wanted,” Osaka said, explaining why she’d pulled her visor over her face to hide her tears as the crowd jeered. “And then I also could sympathize because I’ve been a fan of Serena my whole life and I knew how badly the crowd wanted her to win.” She added, “It was just really emotional.”

Seeing Osaka’s tears during the awards ceremony,Williams put her arm around her opponent and used her turn at the microphone to ask the crowd to celebrate Osaka’s win, rather than decrying her loss, which Osaka said on Monday “made me happy overall.” When it was her time to address the audience, according to The New York Times, Osaka said, “I know that everyone was cheering for her. I’m sorry it had to end like this. I just want to say thank you for watching the match.” When asked on the Today show why she apologized, Osaka explained, “I don’t know, I just felt like everyone was sort of unhappy up there and I know that the ending wasn’t really how people wanted it to be. I know that, in my dreams, I won, like, in a very tough, competitive match. So, I don’t know, I just felt very emotional and I felt like I had to apologize.”

Osaka also noted that, in the wake of her big win, she hasn’t had time to review what happened during the match and come to her own conclusion about what went down between Williams and the umpire, but that she plans to do so as soon as possible. “This is sort of one of the biggest things that happened to me,” she said. And she’s also having some trouble processing that other pretty big thing that happened on Saturday — you know, becoming the first-ever Japanese tennis player to win a Grand Slam title. “It still feels a little bit surreal, but I think it’s slowly sinking in,” she told Today.

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'Dancing With the Stars' Finale Night Two Recap: Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold Take Home the Mirrorball Trophy

If it wasn’t obvious from night one of Dancing With the Stars, then it is now: Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold are your new DWTS champions. The Hamilton star succeeds reigning season 24 champ Rashad Jennings as the latest celebrity to get a ~~new door stop~~ Mirrorball. Len Goodman said Jordan is “the most complete male celebrity ever on Dancing With the Stars,” while Bruno Tonioli praised him as being “right up there with the best we’ve ever seen on this show.” The win also marks Lindsay’s first Mirrorball trophy in six seasons. She previously came in fourth with Wanya Morris, third with Calvin Johnson, Jr., and second with David Ross.

Following their victory, Jordan and Lindsay didn’t get to say anything, because, well, the show ran out of time. It was perhaps the biggest misstep of the entire season, especially for fans who propelled Jordan to victory and would have loved to have heard his reaction instead of just seeing it. Apparently, that’s what Good Morning America is for. Still, not cool you guys.

As expected, Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas came in second place, with Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson taking third. All three couples will now head to New York to appear on GMA and act as if they’re thrilled to to have to dance again on an hour of sleep.

In other news, both Jordan and Frankie were announced as the celebrity guests joining Dancing With the Stars Live!: Light Up the Night this winter. It’s the first time since the tour began that two contestants will go on the road.

In case you only turned in for the last five minutes, or want to relive the last dances, here’s what happened during the final episode…

Favorites Dance:

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas: Dancing to Wham! has never looked so good. Mark and Lindsey scored a perfect 30 to “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” but perhaps most impressive was the rehearsal package that aired right before that detailed Lindsey’s journey. Not only did she detail her struggle with anorexia, but she opened up about how the criticism from the judges on America’s Got Talent propelled her to a career she never could have dreamed of. If there’s a Mirrorball for that, this girl deserves it. Score: 30/30

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson: Len Goodman called Frankie and Witney’s Argentine Tango fantastic, and Carrie Ann said it was a “bigger and better performance” than when they performed it the first time. I’m glad he’s on the DWTS tour this winter. America needs this. Score: 30/30

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold: In Jordan’s rehearsal package, he and his parents talked about how Jordan came in second place so many times in his career before he got his first big break with the Secret Life of the American Teenager. That’s code for: Don’t let second place happen on DWTS, voters. Even Lin-Manuel Miranda makes a cameo telling him to “go get ’em!” Jordan, of course, did just that, performing a flawless Samba that Carrie Ann Inaba called “much, much, much improved.” (Side note to Carrie Ann: This is Jordan we are talking about. One “much improved” is one too many. The guy has always been stellar.) Score: 30/30

Fusion Dances:

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas: I’ve never been a huge fan of the 24-hour fusion dances, but apparently they’re popular enough to keep doing for added “suspense” each finale. Lindsey and Mark killed it, and Len Goodman told Lindsey she’s a fantastic dancer. No kidding. Score: 30/30

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson: Frankie started off by saying, “If I don’t win, this is still the most amazing experience of my life.” Seriously, someone cast him on This Is Us next…the guy knows how to bring the waterworks. He also knows how to bring the dance moves, courtesy of the Foxtrot/Tango fusion, which Bruno goes crazy for until he says Frankie lost a little bit of a control. Carrie Ann told Frankie he’s what this show is about, and she’s right. Perhaps he deserves the Mirrorball more than anyone (even Len said he’s the people’s champion). Score: 28/30

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold: Surprise, surprise, only Jordan could make a Salsa and Paso Doble fusion look like a walk in the park. Carrie Ann summed it up: “There’s not much else to say. Your skills are out of this world.” Yep. The End. Score: 30/30

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