Naomi Osaka exits the US Open with her head held high and eager to go deep at more events before this season comes to an end.
Osaka, who is a former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, produced her best run at a major event since 2021 by reaching the last four at Flushing Meadows. She was on the verge of sealing a place in the final before losing in three sets to Amanda Anisimova. Against the American, Osaka was at one stage leading 7-6(4), 6-5. However, she then lost in the second set tiebreaker before dropping serve once in the decider, which ended her hopes.
Despite losing, the 27-year-old believes there are plenty of positives from her latest performance. Earlier in the tournament, she scored wins over Daria Kasatkina, Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova.
“I don’t feel sad. It’s really weird,” said Osaka.
“I feel like I did the best that I could. Honestly, it’s kind of inspiring for me because it makes me just want to train and try to get better. Hopefully, just give it my very best shot again and see what happens (next time).
“I can’t be mad or upset at myself.”
Osaka has enjoyed a resurgence in her results on the Tour in recent weeks. Prior to the US Open, she also reached the final of a WTA 1000 event in Canada after scoring four wins over top 30 players.
“Getting far in the US Open was definitely a confidence booster. Doing well in Montreal was a confidence booster, but the season is not done yet,” she states.
“I honestly got a little farther than I thought I would. I just wanted to be seeded in Slams, but now I don’t know what ranking I’m at, but I think I’m kind of getting up there.
“I want to do well in Australia. I always happen to play well there. So doing well in the Asian swing, and then closing off the rest of the year is my goal now.”
Osaka is projected to rise to 14th in the WTA rankings when they are updated on Monday. This will be the first time she has been in the top 20 since 2022.
The surge coincides with Osaka’s decision to start working with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who was the mentor of Iga Swiatek and Agnieszka Radwanska. He has also previously worked with the Polish Tennis Federation.
“This is my second tournament with Tomasz. I have to take that into account,” Osaka acknowledges.
“I have to understand what my level is, what I was able to achieve last year, and I think if I put everything into perspective, I feel like I did really good this year.”
“I just like to grow year from year. Even before playing this tournament, I already exceeded my expectations.”
AloJapan.com