Naomi Osaka wins the U.S. Open for a second time; Tamir Rice remembered by the champ

Naomi Osaka won the U.S. Open finals in a a come from behind contest but her win on the court wasn't the only victory she enjoyed. 

By making it to the finals, she got to wear her seventh and final mask calling attention to the killings of unarmed Blacks by police and so-called vigilantes. The mask bore the name of Tamir Rice, who was just 12 years old when he was shot at a park in Cleveland, Ohio, by Officer Timothy Loehmann on Nov. 22, 2014. Rice died the following day.

Loehmann was fired for shooting the youngster but not charged for the killing Tamire who had a toy gun in a public park.

Other names printed on Osaka’s U.S. Open masks worn in earlier matches were Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and Philando Castile.

RELATED: Osaka talks about her campaign against social injustice

Before the U.S. Open, Osaka said its was sad that her seven masks were not enough for the number of victims killed by police and other white vigilantes who feared Black people.

After her win over Victoria Azarenko, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the toughest match she faced in the Open, she was asked if her crusade was effective. 

Osaka responded:"Well, ‘What was the message that you got?’ was more the question. I feel like the point is to make people start talking. 

“I’ve been inside of the bubble, so I’m not really sure what’s really going on in the outside world," she said. "All I can tell is what’s going on is on social media. And for me, I feel like the more retweets it gets — that’s so lame, but the more people talk about it.”

Osaka's third Grand Slam victory didn't come easy. She had to come from behind after losing the first set 1-6. The next two sets were closer than the scores indicated, marked by numerous ads and several game breaks by both players.

In their third set, Osaka was ahead 4-1 and had several chances to close out the set but Azarenko kept fighting back. It was 4-3 before Osaka could win another game.

Osaka won the U.S. Open in 2018 in an upset victory over Serena Williams. She later won the Australian Open and was ranked No. 1 for several months after losing several minor tournaments and a change of coaches.

Naomi Osaka's second U.S. Open title is her third Grand Slam title.