Naomi Osaka, of Japan, reacts during the women's singles final against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in New York.
Surprisingly off-kilter in the early going Saturday, Osaka kept missing shots and digging herself a deficit.
By the end, Osaka pulled away to a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 comeback victory for her second U.S. Open championship and third Grand Slam title overall.
But Osaka regained control, breaking to start a match-ending run of three games, covering her face when the final was over.
Osaka and her coach have said they think the off-court activism has helped her energy and mindset in matches.