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U.S. Open Winner Naomi Osaka Says She Only Listened To Nicki Minaj And Eminem Before Playing Serena

The 20-year-old previously listened to Kendrick Lamar but switched artists after she was beaten.

U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka may have won the grand slam title on her own, but she had serious help from Nicki Minaj and Eminem.

Before taking on Serena Williams during Saturday’s U.S. Open Women’s Finals, the 20-year-old had two albums on constant repeat. 

“I listened to Nicki Minaj‘s new album [Queen],” Osaka told People.

Osaka revealed her music ritual is to only listen to one artist until she loses, then she switches up the music. This time, Osaksa was listening to “Queen” but then added “Kamikaze” when the surprise album drop happened. 

“And then Eminem dropped a new album [Kamikaze] so I was switching between those two. I’m genuinely more into hip-hop and rap,” she added.

Weeks before the U.S. Open, Osaka was rotating through Kendrick Lamar‘s discography during her time at the Washington Citi Open. However, when she was defeated by Poland’s Magda Linette, she switched up the tunes.

Osaka also revealed she is a hardcore stan for Beyoncé.

“Tell me why Beyoncé decides to have a concert in Miami at the same time as the US Open. I’m legit gonna cry,” she tweeted.

After her U.S. Open victory, Osaka was congratulated by Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles Lawson.

“Congratulations Naomi Osaka on winning the US Open. You were amazing in your skills and your grace. You’ve Only Just Begun!” Knowles Lawson wrote on Instagram.

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