After reaching the quarterfinals at the 2025 US Open, Naomi Osaka shared her thoughts on the possibility of stepping away from tennis. This year, the former World No. 1 is looking to win her third title at Flushing Meadows and her fifth Grand Slam title overall.
Osaka previously won her two New York Major titles in 2018 and 2020 by defeating Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in the finals, respectively.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say About Retiring From Tennis Amid US Open 2025 QF Run?
Osaka is seeded 23rd at the 2025 US Open. She began her campaign with a victory over Greet Minnen, winning 6-3, 6-4 in the first round. She then triumphed over Hailey Baptiste with a score of 6-3, 6-1 in the second round. The former World No. 1 overcame 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 and third seed Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.
Naomi Osaka’s biggest win since⁉️
The two-time champion takes out world No.3 Gauff in straight sets, 6-3 6-2! pic.twitter.com/UoOOeywLD5
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2025
Following her win over Gauff, Osaka was asked if she had ever considered quitting tennis when she wasn’t achieving her desired results.
In response, the four-time Grand Slam champion mentioned that she has never thought about quitting the sport. She expressed that while discussing retirement is one thing, the actual thought of doing it is “scary” for her.
“Honestly, not close at all. I don’t know if that means like I like pain or something, but no. It’s one thing to say it, but I think to actually do it, to hang up my racket for me permanently, would be a very scary thing,” Osaka said during the post-match press conference.
Naomi Osaka was asked how close she was to quitting tennis when her results weren’t what she’d hoped:
“Honestly, not close at all. I don’t know if that means I like pain or something 😂. It’s one thing to say it, but to actually do it, to hang up my racquet for me permanently… pic.twitter.com/rEFfQRxpdb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 1, 2025
Osaka stated that she has been playing tennis since she was three years old, describing it as something that is the same as breathing for her. She reiterated that the idea of not playing anytime soon has not crossed her mind.
“I’ve been playing this sport since I was three. I tell people it’s like breathing air to me. I wouldn’t really know what to do. Granted, I’m really grateful to be here now. And the thought of not playing anytime soon is something that hasn’t crossed my mind,” she added.
Naomi Osaka is dominating from the baseline 😤 pic.twitter.com/k7Rxxbqaqa
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2025
Interestingly, at the beginning of the 2025 season, Osaka mentioned that if she was not performing well or not ranked above a certain level, she wouldn’t see herself competing for long. The 27-year-old added that she would prefer to spend time with her daughter, Shai, who was born in July 2023.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around. I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while. I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be,” Osaka had previously said.
Who Will Naomi Osaka Face at the 2025 US Open QF?
Following her victory over Gauff in the fourth round of the 2025 US Open, Osaka will face 11th seed Karolína Muchová in the quarterfinals.
Muchová began her campaign at the New York Major by defeating wild card Venus Williams in the first round, winning with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. She then overcame Sorana Cîrstea 7-6(0), 6-7(3), 6-4, and defeated compatriot Linda Nosková, the 21st seed, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 in the second and third rounds, respectively.
The Czech secured her place in the quarterfinals against Osaka by winning 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3 against 27th seed Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round.
Muchova moving into the quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/FZGGZU3Yt3
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2025
Osaka and Muchová have faced each other four times on the WTA Tour, with both players winning two matches apiece. Their most recent encounter was in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open, where the four-time Grand Slam champion registered a 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 win.
The winner of the upcoming quarterfinal match between Osaka and Muchová at Flushing Meadows will advance to face either second seed Iga Świątek or eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals.
