Mar 24, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) serves against Jasmine Paolini (ITA)(not pictured) on day seven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Former World number one Naomi Osaka continues her struggles on court after being defeated by Lucia Bronzetti in three sets. The pulsating first-round match at the Madrid Masters ended after 2 hours and 21 minutes with the Italian overcoming Osaka 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
The Japanese star has been struggling to get back to winning ways and is still a long way away from her best form which she displayed between 2018 and 2021. This year, Osaka retired during the final of the Auckland Classic tournament due to an abdominal injury and followed that up with another retirement at the Australian Open earlier this year. Thereafter, Osaka was not able to make much impact at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
Naomi Osaka Knocked Out by Lucia Bronzetti in the Opening Round of the Madrid Masters
Despite playing a decent game overall, which included 7 aces and a first serve percentage of 61%, Osaka was not able to capitalize on her opportunities. She had 15 chances to break her opponent’s serve but was able to convert on only 4 of them. Bronzetti, on the other hand, had 13 chances from which she also converted 4 times, but she won 70% of her second serve points.
Bronzetti raced out to take the first set on the back of some superb winners, putting Osaka on the back foot. Despite clay not being her favored surface, the Japanese player fought hard to level the match in the second set and looked like she would complete the comeback. However, the Italian found a way through while the match was on serve at 3 apiece in the decider as she broke for a 4-3 lead and never looked back.
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Naomi Osaka’s Rough Patch With Dip in Form Continues
Osaka, who is a former World number one, has gone through a downward spiral both in her personal life as well as her professional life. On the personal front, the 27-year-old has suffered from several injuries and has even been a victim of depression which she had been dealing with since the 2018 US Open.
Her mental state was affected so much that in 2021, she had to leave the French Open midway and even withdrew from Wimbledon to focus on her health. Later on in the year, she announced she was taking a break and even underwent therapy sessions.
In January 2025, she announced that she was no longer in a relationship with American rapper Cordae, with whom she shares a daughter. And while she maintains that all is fine after her split with Cordae, it has been yet another difficult period in her personal life.
Osaka’s personal life problems have reflected in her career as well, needing to take breaks, and she has not looked like her once dominant self. The 4-time Grand Slam Champion is still finding her way back on the court, but with the way things are going, she may never be able to return from her fall from grace.
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