US Open 7 Years Later: A Mental Performance Perspective on the 2018 Women’s Final
- Dr Vernice Richards
- Sep 9, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: May 21
Seven years after the 2018 US Open Women’s Final, conversations continue to swirl among tennis fans, sports commentators, and mental performance professionals. The match, which saw Naomi Osaka win her first Grand Slam title against Serena Williams, remains a pivotal moment, not just in sports history but in the psychology of elite performance.
As a Mental Performance Consultant, my lens goes beyond the headlines and controversy. What I saw was a masterclass in mental strength, focus under pressure, and the diverse ways elite athletes respond to adversity. This match was a rare and powerful showcase of two champions engaging with the mental side of sport in very different, yet deeply human, ways.
Naomi Osaka: The Mental Skill of Controlling the Crowd
At just 20 years old, Naomi Osaka demonstrated exceptional poise and mental clarity in a high-stakes environment. Amid the chaos, boos, and unexpected interruptions, she held on to the one thing she could control, her mindset.
“I was just getting ready to serve,” she said post-match, revealing how deeply locked in she was.
Her tournament mantra was simple: “Don’t stress, have fun, and fight for every point.” But it’s exactly that simplicity that makes it so powerful. From the very first point, she committed to her strategy, her composure, and her intention.
This wasn’t just a physical performance. It was a reminder that mental discipline and present-moment focus are skills that can be honed, and that often separate good athletes from great ones. Serena Williams: When Character Meets Emotion
On the other side of the net was Serena Williams, the face of power, resilience, and trailblazing excellence in tennis. After receiving a coaching violation, Serena interpreted the warning not as a call on conduct, but as an attack on her integrity.
“I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose.”
This moment illuminated a different mental skill, advocacy, moral leadership, and standing firm in one’s values. Yet, even the most seasoned athlete can be caught off guard when emotions rise and the spotlight intensifies.
Instead of resetting after the initial exchange with umpire Carlos Ramos (who acknowledged he didn’t believe she was cheating), the mental skill of “letting go” became elusive.
The result: a compounding of emotion that disrupted flow and fueled the match’s volatility.
The Real Lesson: There's No One Right Way to Compete
As dramatic as the match was, it offered something often overlooked in sport: a powerful study of psychological flexibility.
Osaka reminded us of the power of emotional containment and staying in the zone.
Williams reminded us that identity, values, and legacy often show up when the stakes are highest.
Both are valid. Both are real.
And both reveal just how complex high-performance mental skills really are.
7 Years Later: What Are We Still Learning?
For coaches, athletes, and parents who watched the 2018 US Open final, the key takeaway isn’t about who was right or wrong, it’s about expanding our understanding of mental strength in elite competition.
Rather than focusing solely on technical execution or physical prowess, it's time we acknowledge the full spectrum of mental and emotional skills that show up in pressure moments.
Questions for Reflection:
Can Osaka’s laser focus ever become a liability in other high-pressure contexts?
When does a champion’s responsibility extend beyond the sport itself?
What other mental performance skills did you notice in that match?
Does character still have a place in modern-day elite sport, or is it a liability?
Final Thoughts:
The 2018 US Open Women's Final wasn’t just a match, it was a mental performance case study that continues to offer insight into the emotional resilience, identity, and mental agility of elite athletes.
Whether you’re coaching the next generation or navigating your own high-performance space, the lessons from that match still resonate today.
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