For us normal folk, flying on a plane can be a huge headache.
Apparently it’s no different for high-profile athletes as tennis star Naomi Osaka came dangerously close of missing the Cincinnati Open due to a classic commercial airline miscue.
In a post on X just after 7:30 p.m. Friday, the four-time Grand Slam champion tagged United Airlines to notify them that they lost her luggage, presumably while she was on a flight to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, locally known as CVG.
Lol @united lost my bags and if I don’t get them tonight or tomorrow I literally can’t play Cinncinati,” she said in the post – and yes, she misspelled Cincinnati.
Fortunately for Osaka, United Airlines quickly took notice and replied to her post: “Hi, Naomi. We’re sorry to hear this. We’d like to look into this and assist further.”
United Airlines then posted another reply just after 10 p.m. to let Osaka know that her bags, which presumably contain her tennis gear, had arrived in Cincinnati. The airline also asked for Osaka to direct message them so they could set up arrangements to reunite her with her bags.
CVG also became aware of Osaka’s post and said in a reply that United Airlines expects to reunite Osaka with her bags as soon as Friday night.
The 26-year-old Osaka is coming off competing in the Canadian Open where she was eliminated by Elise Mertens in the round of 32 Thursday. She also just returned from maternity leave earlier this year after announcing her pregnancy just days before Australian Open in January 2023.
Osaka’s last appearance at the Cincinnati Open was in 2022 where she lost to China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets in the first round.
The Cincinnati Open, formerly the Western & Southern Open, takes place Aug. 11 to 19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. The first qualifying round begins at 11 a.m. Sunday and gates open at 9:30 a.m.