Naomi Osaka Says She Listened to Nicki Minaj and Eminem Prior to U.S. Open Victory

After pulling off her shocking win over Serena Williams in the U.S. Open Women’s Final this past Saturday, Naomi Osaka revealed that two artists in particular were responsible with helping guide her to victory: Nicki Minaj and Eminem. Osaka admits that she is superstitious when it comes to the music she listens to prior to her matches. She said she'll keep listening to the same musician beforehand until she loses.

In the matches leading up to her Final against Williams, Osaka toldPeople, "I listened to Nicki Minaj’s new album [Queen]." Then, on August 31, Eminem surprised everyone, including Osaka, with the release of his tenth studio album Kamikaze. As superstitious as she is, the 20-year-old athlete couldn’t help, but regularly bump that project too. "And then Eminem dropped a new album so I was switching between those two," she said. "I'm genuinely more into hip-hop and rap."

Osaka's victory placed her in the history books as the first-ever Japanese Grand Slam champion. During her Women's Final match, Williams was given a game penalty by chair umpire Carlos Ramos for verbal abuse. Serena called out the umpire for stealing a point from her, and the crowd responded later on by audibly booing throughout the ceremony.