An emotional Naomi Osaka made a triumphant US Open return by beating Jelena Ostapenko in a blockbuster first-round match.
Japan’s Osaka is a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, winning the first of her four Grand Slam titles in New York in 2018 and repeating the feat in 2020.
She missed last year’s tournament after giving birth to daughter Shai but watched from the crowd, which reignited her desire to compete.
The former world number one faced a tough task against Latvian 10th seed Ostapenko, but came through 6-3 6-2 in just 63 minutes.
Osaka covered her face with her towel as she cried tears of joy and relief after the win, and became emotional again in her on-court interview.
“I was trying not to cry when I was walking out,” the 26-year-old said.
“I remember last year I was watching Coco [Gauff] play and I so badly wanted to step on these courts again.
“I didn’t know if I could – athletically, physically, if I was able to. Just to play this match and be in this atmosphere means so much to me, so thank you.”
Victory over Ostapenko was Osaka’s first against a top-10 player for four years.
Osaka, who also won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, spoke before the US Open about not feeling “like I’m in my body” since her return from maternity leave.
She gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023 and returned to the WTA Tour in January.
Although she has had some notable performances – including coming within touching distance of beating eventual champion Iga Swiatek at the French Open – she has not gone beyond the quarter-finals of any event.
She also has a tough draw in New York, with former French Open finalist Karolina Muchova awaiting in the second round.
Asked about her goals for the tournament, Osaka said: “Keep focusing, keep trying to play really well, but overall have a lot of fun.
“Last night my daughter didn’t want to go to sleep on her bed time, so I had to hold her for quite a while and I was thinking: Oh wow, she really picked the perfect day not to go to sleep.
“Moments like that are so precious to me and I can only hope I keep having more.”
Naomi Osaka, a former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion, made a stunning return to the US Open, marking her first appearance at the tournament since becoming a mother. Her victory over Jelena Ostapenko in the first round was not just a win; it was a testament to her resilience, determination, and love for the game.
Osaka has a special connection with the US Open, where she claimed her first Grand Slam title in 2018, defeating Serena Williams in a match that would go down in history for its controversy and intensity. She repeated her success in 2020, cementing her status as one of the most formidable players on the WTA Tour. However, her journey took a significant turn after her last major title, as she took time off to focus on her mental health, an issue she has been vocal about, helping to destigmatize conversations around it in the sports world.
In 2023, Osaka took a break from tennis to focus on her personal life, giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July. This break from the sport, while fulfilling on a personal level, also left her questioning whether she could return to the high levels of athletic performance that defined her earlier career. As she watched the US Open from the stands last year, her desire to compete was reignited. The sight of fellow players, particularly rising star Coco Gauff, brought back the passion and drive that had characterized her previous triumphs.
Osaka’s return to the WTA Tour in January was highly anticipated, but she admitted that the journey back was far from easy. She spoke candidly about not feeling fully present in her body, a sentiment many new mothers can relate to as they adjust to the physical and emotional changes that come with childbirth. Despite these challenges, Osaka pushed forward, delivering notable performances in the months leading up to the US Open, including a strong showing at the French Open where she nearly upset the eventual champion, Iga Swiatek.
Facing the 10th seed, Jelena Ostapenko, in the first round of the US Open was a tough draw for Osaka. Ostapenko, known for her aggressive playing style and formidable presence on the court, was expected to be a challenging opponent. However, Osaka rose to the occasion, delivering a performance reminiscent of her prime. In just 63 minutes, she secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory, a win that not only marked her return to the Grand Slam stage but also her first victory over a top-10 player in four years.
As the final point was played and the match was won, emotions overwhelmed Osaka. She covered her face with a towel, trying to contain the tears that came from a deep sense of relief and joy. In her on-court interview, the emotion was still palpable. “I was trying not to cry when I was walking out,” the 26-year-old confessed, her voice tinged with the weight of the past year.
Osaka reflected on the previous year when she watched the US Open as a spectator, feeling a profound yearning to be back on the court. “I remember last year I was watching Coco [Gauff] play and I so badly wanted to step on these courts again,” she said. The uncertainty she felt about her physical and athletic capabilities made this victory even sweeter. “I didn’t know if I could—athletically, physically, if I was able to. Just to play this match and be in this atmosphere means so much to me, so thank you,” she added, expressing her gratitude to the fans and the sport that has been such a central part of her life.
While her first-round win was a significant milestone, Osaka is aware that the road ahead in this tournament is fraught with challenges. Her next opponent is Karolina Muchova, a former French Open finalist known for her versatility and tactical intelligence on the court. Osaka’s draw is undeniably tough, but she seems more focused on enjoying the process rather than solely aiming for victory.
When asked about her goals for the tournament, Osaka emphasized the importance of having fun and staying focused. “Keep focusing, keep trying to play really well, but overall have a lot of fun,” she said. This shift in mindset, from the intense pressure to win to an appreciation for the experience, reflects her growth both as an athlete and as a person.
Osaka’s return to the court is not just about reclaiming her place among the sport’s elite but also about balancing the demands of motherhood with her professional aspirations. She shared a touching moment from the night before her match, when her daughter, Shai, refused to go to sleep at her usual bedtime. “Last night my daughter didn’t want to go to sleep on her bedtime, so I had to hold her for quite a while, and I was thinking: Oh wow, she really picked the perfect day not to go to sleep,” Osaka recounted with a smile.
These moments, though challenging, are precious to her, and she expressed a desire to continue creating such memories. “Moments like that are so precious to me, and I can only hope I keep having more,” she said. This blend of personal fulfillment and professional ambition is what makes Osaka’s journey so compelling.
Naomi Osaka’s return to the US Open is more than just a comeback; it is a story of resilience, vulnerability, and the power of the human spirit. Her willingness to share her struggles, both mental and physical, has endeared her to fans around the world and made her a symbol of strength in the face of adversity. As she continues in this tournament, every match will be watched with anticipation, not just for the result but for the journey that it represents.
Osaka’s story is a reminder that the path to success is rarely linear and that true victory lies not just in winning but in overcoming the challenges along the way. Whether she adds another US Open title to her collection or not, Naomi Osaka has already proven that she is a champion in every sense of the word.