Sports
Naomi Osaka and the gravity of a superstar at the U.S. Open
NEW YORK — On Tuesday afternoon, the world No 88, in the U.S. Open main draw as a wildcard, destroyed the 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the U.S. Open first round.
In theory, that sounds like a shock win, but the wildcard in question is Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion here and one of the biggest draws of the tournament.
Osaka may be a natural introvert, but she has the gravity of a superstar, even as a wildcard. From her sensational outfit — which on Tuesday included a customised green tennis dress and a large green bow on her jacket — to her eye-catching power, she had enough to pummel Ostapenko into a 6-3, 6-2 defeat in just over an hour.
Naomi Osaka produced an almost error-free display of tennis to dispatch Jelena Ostapenko (Robert Prange / Getty Images)
Flushing Meadows is most associated with her two greatest triumphs. She won the U.S. Open title here in 2018 and 2020, beating Serena Williams in the first final on a famously tempestuous occasion — through no fault of Osaka’s — to announce herself as a star. But three years ago, it was the site of a breaking point. She threw her racket on multiple occasions and received a code violation for firing a ball into the crowd during an excruciating defeat to Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. When asked about what happened, she said: “I’m not really sure why.”
“Recently, I feel very anxious when things don’t go my way,” she said.
In the three years since, during which Osaka has continued to transcend tennis for her openness to discussing its impact on her mental health, Osaka had not won a match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
She returned to the sport in late December after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, and upon beating Ostapenko she looked to the sky as tears flowed, overcome by the emotion of her first victory in New York since 2021. There was a lot to process, but what actually set Osaka off went back to her childhood.
“It was a combination of a lot of different things,” she said after her victory.
“I grew up here, so just seeing kids, and then remembering my daughter, but also seeing kids coming and watching me play… And just remembering that I was a kid, I guess a long time ago, made me very emotional,” Osaka said.
Her mind also went back to this time last year when with her daughter not even two months old, Osaka watched on from the stands as Coco Gauff got on her way to winning the title. Osaka didn’t know then whether she could reclaim the level that made her a champion here twice, took her to world No 1, and brought her two more Grand Slam titles, both in Australia.
That feeling has carried on throughout much of 2024, which saw her begin her comeback after 15 months away from the tour on New Year’s Eve. The first half of the season included some promising results, including a barnstorming French Open clash with world No 1 Iga Swiatek, but the last few months have been tough. They have prompted introspection.
After a disappointing loss in the Cincinnati qualifiers to Ashlyn Krueger, Osaka again opened up.
“My biggest issue currently isn’t losses, though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body.”
Osaka, laying down on Arthur Ashe after winning the title in 2020, has opened up about her struggles in returning to tennis (Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
It was a startling admission and perhaps reflected the pressure Osaka was feeling. Throughout the year, the message from those close to her had been that the former world No 1 should be judged not on the promise of the clay and grass swings, in which she found her feet, but during the summer hard-court season.
On her favourite surface, Osaka would come alive.
“It’s almost, like, you have a deadline and you’re crunching at midnight to try to make it,” Osaka said on Tuesday about the narrowing window she has to deliver on hard courts this year. Until Tuesday, her best individual performance had remained that stunning night match at the French Open, where she held a match point against Swiatek. In the two biggest hard-court events ahead of the U.S. Open, Osaka lost in the second round at the Canadian Open and then failed to qualify for Cincinnati.
Even giving herself the grace of returning to the tour after giving birth, Osaka was impatient and concerned. She likened her discomfort on court to how she had felt in general postpartum. Desperate to feel herself again in competition, on Tuesday that feeling returned.
The Louis Armstrong Stadium fizzed with anticipation after Osaka’s two-year absence. A striking matchup against Ostapenko, a top-10 player who can come alive on the biggest occasions — and has an unbeaten record against Swiatek — only added to the feeling that this match, like Osaka and Swiatek’s second-round encounter in Paris, would befit a late-stage occasion rather than an opener. Osaka, world No 88 or not, retains the gravity of all she has done in the sport no matter her ranking.
The match started evenly, but from the moment Osaka broke at 4-3 in the first set, the outcome was never in doubt. She started to hit her forehand with increasing freedom and venom; Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, had no answer.
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How should a world No 1 be? Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka have an idea
Osaka celebrated points with loud “come ons” and fist pumps and the crowd matched her noise and energy. In what was an outstanding exhibition of controlled aggression, she didn’t lose her serve throughout and banged down nine aces to secure a first win over a top-10 opponent for more than four years. After Osaka had clinched the victory with a cross-court forehand winner, she sat down and covered her face with a towel as the tears poured out.
“Just seeing the stadium really full, it meant a lot because I was, like, ‘Oh, I hope people come watch me play,’” she said afterwards.
She followed up that piece of disarming modesty by laying down the gauntlet in the most softly spoken and understated way imaginable.
“I feel like for me, this court is my home — it gives me so much more confidence.”
She also had extra motivation to beat Ostapenko on Tuesday, knowing that if she did, she would get the chance to wear the other outfit she had ready for the tournament. “That was very important to me,” Osaka said with a smile.
Where this run will lead is in question. Osaka next faces last year’s semifinalist Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, with another opportunity for a statement victory. Before all of that, she can soak in a win against a top-tier opponent and the U.S. Open can once again revel in the gravitational pull of a tennis superstar.
(Top photo: Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Sports
Teenage golfer Miles Russell delivers his dad an all-time Father’s Day experience during US Open final round
America 250: Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and became one of the greatest amateur golfers in history. As a teenager, he reached the third round of the U.S. Amateur at age 14, showing early promise. He went on to win 13 major championships, all as an amateur, a record that still stands. In 1930, Jones achieved the
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Miles Russell is the youngest player in the 2026 U.S. Open field at just 17 years old. Teeing it up in a major championship at that age, let alone making the cut as he did at Shinnecock Hills, made for an already unforgettable week for him and his family.
The young man had one final surprise up his sleeve for Sunday’s final round, however, that not only his family will cherish forever, but made plenty of golf fans watching the moment unfold a bit misty-eyed.
After hitting his approach shot into the par-4 18th, Russell’s caddie made his way over to the gallery. He proceeded to take off his caddie bib and hand it and Russell’s golf bag over to Russell’s father, Joe.
Miles Russell plays his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the UNC Health Championship at Raleigh Country Club on May 29, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images) ((Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images))
TEENAGE PHENOM MILES RUSSELL MAKES ENTIRE GOLF WORLD FEEL OLD WITH EYE-POPPING QUOTE AHEAD OF US OPEN DEBUT
According to the NBC broadcast, the entire thing was Russell’s idea. He approached USGA rules officials before teeing off on Sunday to ask them if it was okay to have his dad take over caddying duties for the final hole, and they gave him the green light.
Talk about a Father’s Day gift that may never be topped.
“It was pretty cool,” Russell said after Sunday’s final round. “Just there walking up 18, that’s when he stepped in. It was kind of a fun Father’s Day gift. Kind of cool since it was my first one. Hopefully it’s something he’ll remember for a long time.”
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Amateur Miles Russell of the United States walks across the 16th hole during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Russell shot 3-over in the opening two rounds of the U.S. Open to make the cut by two shots. During Saturday’s third round, he struggled a bit en route to a 74, but backed it up with a final round score of even par.
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Miles Russell on the seventh tee during the first round of 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) (Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Russell qualified for this week’s U.S. Open after advancing in the final stage of qualifying in a three-man playoff vying for two spots in the field. He had Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son, on the bag as his caddie during the qualifier. Both Woods and Russell have committed to play college golf at Florida State.
In 2024, Russell became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make the cut in a tournament, eventually finishing T-20
The Lakers will seek to use their 25th pick in Tuesday’s first round of the NBA draft on a player who fills a need on a roster that could have up to nine free agents this summer. Yet the Lakers also are aware that picking that late in the round could leave them selecting the best player available.
They probably will be in search of a center who can be a lob threat or an athletic wing who can play defense and knock down three-pointers, two positions the Lakers crave as they try to build a team around star Luka Doncic that fits best with his style of play.
Names that NBA executives and mock drafts attached to the Lakers are Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance, Texas forward Dailyn Swain and Duke wing Isaiah Evans.
The Lakers spent time in Spain looking at 20-year-old guard Sergio de Larrea, but many NBA scouts see him going later in the first round or even in the second. According to people not authorized to speak publicly, the Lakers were impressed by their workout with Purdue point guard Braden Smith. But he’s on the smaller side (6 feet) and played four years in college, leading scouts to believe his upside is not that high and that he’ll be drafted in the second round.
The Lakers don’t have a pick in Wednesday’s second round.
After the Lakers were swept by a deep and athletic Oklahoma City team in the second round of the playoffs, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka outlined what it takes when trying to compete in the uber-tough Western Conference against the likes of the Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, who became the second-youngest team to reach the NBA Finals.
Pelinka looked at how Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell was drafted in the second round and how he flourished in just his second season, especially in the playoffs, in which he averaged 15.1 points and 4.3 assists in 11 games.
“Depth is really important, athleticism and youth. We have a lot of components of that on our roster, but we need to add to it,” Pelinka said last month during his exit interview with the media. “I think those are some of the key North Stars that we need to look at.
“One of the players that they had who played really well, Ajay Mitchell, they got in the second round. So there’s ways to add to your roster if you commit to doing the hard work and commit to the process of adding the right pieces. … We’ll be doing that through the draft and free agency and through trades. We’ve gotta find a way to have a roster that will compete with any team in the NBA. That’s what we do here.”
The Lakers do have three tradable first-round picks — 2026, 2031 and 2033 — but the latter two can’t be moved until after the draft.
Lakers star LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent and is looking for a deal from the Lakers, while Austin Reaves is expected to opt out of his $14.8-million deal so he can sign a contract with them for up to five years and about $241 million.
Still, the Lakers have to proceed with the draft to find a player.
Texas forward Dailyn Swain, left, vies for a loose ball against Purdue guard Braden Smith during an NCAA tournament game in March.
(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)
Swain (6-7) and Evans (6-6) are the kind of athletic wings the Lakers could use, but both might be chosen before the Lakers make their pick.
The 6-9 Quaintance could slide to the Lakers because of health concerns. He played in only four games last season at Kentucky because the team was being cautious following knee surgery after he tore an anterior cruciate ligament when he played at Arizona State.
Scouts still view him as mobile, athletic and young enough — he turns 19 next month — to develop. But, Quaintance will need to rehab his knee and probably won’t be ready for the upcoming season. When healthy, scouts said, he can be the lob threat and defender that Doncic yearns to have.
Sports
Bryce Harper hits for cycle, Kyle Schwarber blasts three homers in Phillies blowout win over Mets
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The Phillies’ turnaround following the dismissal of manager Rob Thomson reached a new milestone when two of the franchise’s biggest stars delivered a historic performance.
Kyle Schwarber launched three home runs, including two in the third inning, while Bryce Harper completed the cycle to add yet another achievement to his accomplished career.
The offensive explosion powered Philadelphia to a 15-3 rout of the New York Mets on Saturday, as the Phillies continued their surge and received a signature performance from two of the game’s most recognizable stars.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber celebrates his home run with Bryce Harper during the third inning against the New York Mets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 20, 2026. (Chris Szagola/AP)
Schwarber’s first home run traveled 456 feet, while his second blast of the third inning measured 457 feet off Mets reliever Cionel Pérez.
He capped his night with a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Schwarber’s major league-leading home run total climbed to 28, and the performance marked the fifth three-homer game of his career.
Cristopher Sanchez allowed one earned run in six innings to lower his ERA to 1.80.
It’s his 23rd straight start at Citizens Bank Park in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer, the second-most such starts by a pitcher at the same ballpark in MLB history since 1913, trailing only Jacob deGrom’s 24 at Citi Field for the Mets from Sept. 9, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2022.
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Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies leave the field after defeating the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 2026. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Schwarber is the 67th player in major league history and second this season with multiple home runs in an inning, joining Houston’s Yordan Alvarez on June 12.
Schwarber is the fourth Phillies player to hit two home runs in an inning, along with Trea Turner (Aug. 19, 2023), Von Hayes (June 11, 1985) and Andy Seminick (June 2, 1949).
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hits a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 20, 2026. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Harper hit a solo home run in the first inning, his 16th of the year. He doubled and singled in the third, then hit a two-run triple to the gap in left-center field in the fifth for his first career cycle and the 11th in Phillies history.
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The Phillies and Mets will wrap up their three-game series Sunday night, with first pitch set for 7:20 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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