Two years ago, Japan's Naomi Osaka became an overnight sensation thanks to a victory over Serena Williams in the US Open final, earning her a first Grand Slam title and international super-stardom.
Last month, the world's highest-paid female athlete again made headlines around the world at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—this time, for her bravery in standing up against racism, police brutality, and social injustices.
Tonight, when the No. 4 seed takes to Arthur Ashe Stadium against two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka in the 2020 US Open women's championship, she has a chance to come full circle at the close of a career-defining fortnight.
While she might be forgiven for getting caught up in the macro of what winning the 2020 US Open might mean in light of all that, Osaka says there's just one thing in her sights.
"The closer it gets to the finals, the more I think about...honestly, like no one remembers anyone but the winner. Even if I do happen to, I don't want to say lose, but [if I] don't achieve my goal in the finals, at least I get a shiny little trophy," she said with a smile, after her three-set semifinal victory over American Jennifer Brady on Thursday night.
"At least I can leave with something. That's probably one of my biggest motivators."
In her first run to the US Open title, Osaka was largely dominant, winning seven matches and losing just one set. This time around, however, she's been tested on-court, and has risen to a bigger occasion off the court—making her run to a third Grand Slam final the most uniquely impressive of them all.
The world No. 10 needed three sets to beat Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk in the third round, and again, against a surging first-time Grand Slam semifinalist in Brady in the final four. With her last match of a three-week tenure in New York imminent, the former world No. 1 is hoping that the mettle she's shown here so far will be the key to a third Grand Slam title.
"I would say I feel like my mindset is much different this time around. I feel like I've learned so much through the ups and downs, not even counting the finals, but just regular tour tournament," she said. "I would say, mentally, I feel stronger. I feel fitter now. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.
"I feel like, definitely, I've been getting more confident in myself. I feel like all these matches apply to each other. I know that once it gets to a third set, as long as I stay calm, the outcome could go in my favor."
That confidence has also shown through as she's embraced the spotlight outside the lines. Balancing her quest for another one of her sport's biggest trophies with her fierce advocacy for social justice, Osaka's stay in the Big Apple has been nothing short of emotional, for both herself and others.
"I think the responses that meant the most to me are probably people saying thank you. And for me, it always takes me by surprise because I don't know if I feel like I'm doing anything," she said after her third-round win. "But people say 'thank you' and 'I'm proud of you,' and for me, that's something that's really touching to my heart.
"For me, I feel like I'm just doing what I think I'm emotionally capable to do," she added on Thursday. "I felt like this was right for me at this time. I felt like this is what should be done."
Standing between Osaka and another major is Azarenka, herself a former world No. 1, who's showed mettle of her own over the course of her time in New York. It's a rematch that seems for all the world like it was written in the stars. Thirteen days ago, Osaka and Azarenka were supposed to play in the final of the Western & Southern Open, but Osaka wound up issuing Azarenka a walkover thanks to a hamstring injury, handing the Belarusian her first title in four years.
Officially, Osaka owns a 2-1 head-to-head lead, with both of her recent victories coming on clay. Azarenka's lone win dates back to the 2016 Australian Open, a 6-1, 6-1 second-round win that shouldn't mean much to tennis pundits and fans with respect to the current state of either player.
But for Osaka and the growth she's experienced in all ways since then, it just very well might.
"Honestly, I feel like the older you get, the more mentally strong you are. I think that's something that you learn from being on the tour for such a long time, playing so many matches," Osaka said.
"My goal during these two tournaments was to be more mentally strong and to fight for every point. So that's what I'm going to go into the final with. Nothing is going to change that."
WATCH: Get ready for Osaka vs. Azarenka
