2025 US Open – Naomi Osaka misses out on final…and crowning Labubu
She may have come out on the losing side for the first time in a major semi-final, but Osaka can takes the positives. The Japanese star reached the final four for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open and is up to 14th in the WTA rankings, her highest position since January 2022.
Having reached the Canadian Open final in preparations for the US Open, the 27-year-old is reminding the tennis world why she is a four-time Grand Slam champion.
“Honestly I don’t feel sad,” Osaka said in her post-match press conference. “It’s really weird – well it’s not weird – I just feel like I did the best that I could. It’s honestly inspiring for me. It makes me want to train and try to get better and hopefully give it my very best shot again and see what happens.”
The two-time US Open champion has had a memorable run at Flushing Meadows, whether it was her performances on court or her flashy outfits. As well as missing out on the final, Osaka will not get to complete her Labubu set, to her dismay.
“Oh, don’t make me cry, man. Oh, my God, the most devastating question,” she responded to what her seventh and final Labubu would have been. “I wanted to make one of myself in last year’s outfit, and it was the green one. I would have had the bow, and I’m sick about it. Oh, my God, that’s, like, the worst thing. Honestly, I’m fine losing, but don’t ask me about this Labubu, man. It would have been me.”
The US Open women’s singles final takes place on 6 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium, preceded on court by the men’s doubles final.
AloJapan.com