Naomi Osaka keeps having a persistent problem that is starting to become a real concern now

Naomi Osaka has continued her struggle to return to her previous top level at the Berlin Tennis Open.

Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, but has been unable to reach that level since returning from giving birth to her daughter in July 2023.

This was highlighted at one of her most recent tournaments, where Osaka lost to Paula Badosa in the first round of Roland Garros.

The Japanese superstar was hoping to return to winning ways in her first match on grass, but that was not to be the case.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka keeps having a persistent problem that is becoming a concern

Despite winning the first set of her match in Berlin against world number 20 Liudmila Samsonova, Osaka was ultimately beaten, 3-6 7-6(3) 6-4.

Osaka has now lost her last three matches in deciding sets, and all five of her most recent defeats have gone the distance.

It has been a mixed season for Osaka, who won her first clay court title in Paris, but has struggled to find much consistency.

This shows in the statistics as well, with Osaka winning 68% of her matches this year, but her win-loss percentage is slightly lower in matches that go the distance.

There is also something to consider in that the matches that Osaka has won in three set matches have generally been against lower ranked opposition, suggesting that her game is still there, but she is perhaps doubting herself against the top ranked players.

Naomi Osaka in 2025Overall Win-loss Record17-8 (68%)Win-loss Record in three set matches9-5 (64%)Average ranking of players that she has beaten in three sets75.8Average ranking of players that have beaten her in three sets27.6

Osaka is a player who was previously known for playing her best tennis in the biggest matches, winning all four of the Grand Slam finals she has been in.

This includes two three set Grand Slam finals, with Osaka coming from a set down to beat Victoria Azarenka at the 2020 US Open.

Osaka made some damning comments about herself after her Roland Garros exit last month, and this most recent defeat is unlikely to help those thoughts.

Although she has high standards for herself, Osaka could change the narrative and take some encouragement by the fact that she is still able to push these top players.

What is next for Naomi Osaka?

That appears to be it for Osaka in terms of her Wimbledon match preparation, as she is not entered into any more grass court tournaments.

This could be a worry for the current world number 57, who probably needs matches more than anything right now to regain that sharpness, especially with Wimbledon on the horizon.

Osaka lost in the second round of Wimbledon last year, and has never gone beyond the third round in her four previous main draw appearances.

However, two of her four losses at the grass court major have come against players who have either won the title or finished as runner-up that year.

YearNaomi Osaka’s Wimbledon Result2017Lost in the third round to Venus Williams2018Lost in the third round to Angelique Kerber2019Lost in the first round to Yulia Putintseva2024Lost in the second round to Emma Navarro

Being ranked outside the seeded places could also be a concern for Osaka, as she could play anyone from Aryna Sabalenka to Coco Gauff in the first round.

Osaka will find out her fate when the Wimbledon draw takes place on Friday, June 27.