Japan's Naomi Osaka has refused to criticise Serena Williams after her historic US Open victory was overshadowed by the American's furious row with the chair umpire.
The 20-year-old melted hearts when she broke down sobbing after thrashing her idol 6-2, 6-4 to become Japan's first Grand Slam singles champion in New York last weekend.
Japanese tennis legend Kimiko Date told AFP it made her "heart ache" to see Osaka reduced to tears and unable to savour her moment of glory.
But after returning to Japan on Thursday, Osaka insisted there were no hard feelings towards Williams, who branded umpire Carlos Ramos a "thief" in an astonishing tantrum triggered by a code violation for coaching that culminated in a docked game.
"For me I don't feel sad because I wouldn't even know what I'm expected to feel," said Osaka, who has climbed from 19th to seventh in the new world rankings.
"I don't think I even thought about feeling sad because there's no experience for me to draw on in any other Grand Slam final," she added.
"I just thought I shouldn't have any regrets. Overall I felt really happy and know I accomplished a lot."
"I want to do well at the Pan Pacific Open and maybe year-end top five -- but I'm not putting pressure on myself. For now I'm just sort of riding the wave."
"It's every athlete's dream to play in the Olympics, so of course it would be my goal to win gold."
"The Pan Pacific is so close and I have to be on a diet for my matches, so maybe afterwards for the ice cream."
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