After a strong semifinal run at the US Open, Naomi Osaka headed home to Japan for some much-deserved downtime. But instead of just relaxing, the four-time Grand Slam champion found herself courtside at one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Her appearance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo shows she’s staying connected to the sports world while preparing for her next tennis challenge.
Why Did Naomi Osaka Attend the World Athletics Championships?
Osaka recently wrapped up her North American hard-court swing and traveled home to Japan to attend the World Athletics Championships. This marks the 20th edition of the Championships, which began on Saturday, September 13, 2025, and will continue until September 21, 2025.
During her time in North America, Osaka competed in three tournaments: the 2025 Citi DC Open, the Canadian Open, and the US Open. In Washington, D.C., the former World No. 1 received a wild card entry into the main draw but was eliminated in the second round by Emma Raducanu.
The Montreal tournament proved more successful for Osaka, as she reached the final before falling to wild card Victoria Mboko. At the New York Major, the four-time Grand Slam champion earned the 23rd seed and made a strong run to the semifinals, where eighth seed and eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova ended her campaign.
Quite a hold from Osaka!
Down 15-40, she finds a way and has a chance to break for the match. pic.twitter.com/TKZd4UGDBJ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025
Following the US Open, Osaka returned to Tokyo and shared her experience at the athletics championships on social media. She posted a picture featuring the Japan National Stadium, where the event is taking place.
Screen grab of Naomi Osaka’s Instagram story
Beyond her singles campaign at the US Open, Osaka also tried her hand at mixed doubles alongside Gaël Monfils. The pair received a wild card entry into the main draw but fell in the first round to another wild card duo, Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti.
Where Will Osaka Compete Next in the Asian Swing?
With the US Open behind her, Osaka now turns her attention to the Asian swing of the Tour. She’s expected to compete next at the 2025 China Open, scheduled to take place at the National Tennis Center in Beijing from September 24 to October 6, 2025.
The tournament promises to bring together top talent from around the world. Players such as defending champion Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Katie Boulter, Mirra Andreeva, Bianca Andreescu, Amanda Anisimova, Belinda Bencic, and Leylah Fernandez, among others, are all expected to participate in the WTA 1000 hard-court event in Beijing.
Osaka has positive memories from the 2024 China Open, where she started strong by defeating Lucia Bronzetti in the first round, 6-3, 6-2. She then battled past 21st seed Yulia Putintseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round and handled Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 in the third round.
However, her 2024 run ended in disappointing fashion during the fourth round against eventual champion Gauff. Osaka had to retire from the match due to injury, with the score at 6-3, 4-6, 0-0 retd. This year, she’ll be looking to stay healthy and make another deep run in Beijing.
AloJapan.com