The tears in Tamaki Osaka’s eyes said everything. After five years of waiting, heartbreak, and comebacks that fell short, her daughter was finally back where she belonged. Naomi Osaka didn’t just beat Karolína Muchová in the US Open quarterfinals – she dominated her way back to tennis royalty, reaching the tournament’s semifinal for the first time since claiming this title in 2020.
How Did Naomi Osaka Rediscover Her Championship Form?
Naomi appears to have rediscovered her best form, asserting her authority at the US Open after five long years. Her triumph sent the Arthur Ashe crowd into a frenzy and visibly moved her mother, Tamaki, who couldn’t hold back tears watching her daughter stand tall. The moment carried extra weight, reflecting Naomi’s prolonged struggles on tour before this North American hard-court swing, and her resilience in staging a comeback.
Since returning to tennis after a nearly 15-month maternity hiatus, Osaka has often confronted the challenge of tough draws as an unseeded player, particularly at the Grand Slams. Her comeback, though determined, was often marked by frustration and moments of candid venting on social media.
On the positive side, she claimed a WTA 125 title at Saint-Malo and reached the final in Auckland earlier this year. Yet, beyond these highlights, the 2025 season largely proved unforgiving, with early exits at major tournaments, including third-round finishes at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and a first-round loss at the French Open.
However, the four-time Major champion made sure that this year’s North American swing would be a turning point. She reached the fourth round at the Mubadala Citi DC Open and then caught everyone’s attention with a runner-up finish in Montreal, building strong momentum ahead of the US Open.
What Made This Victory So Emotional for the Osaka Family?
Osaka remained determined at Flushing Meadows, getting past higher-ranked opponents, including Daria Kasatkina, home favorite Coco Gauff, and eventually Muchová, to reach the US Open semifinals after an utterly long stretch.
The Japanese tennis star asserted her dominance right from the opening game, setting the tone for the match. Meanwhile, hampered by a lengthy medical timeout before the second set, the Czech struggled to find her rhythm. Osaka claimed the first set 6-4, and though the Czech rallied with moments of resistance in a tense second set, she ultimately fell short in the tie-break, losing 6-7(7).
Emotions seemed to take over after the Czech hit a wide ball in the tiebreak, handing match point to Osaka. The former World No. 1 celebrated in front of a roaring Arthur Ashe crowd, but the moment moved her mother to tears. At one point, Tamaki Osaka could be seen bowing her head, overwhelmed, before breaking down as she realized her daughter was back at her best.
NAOMI OSAKA’S US OPEN RUN CONTINUES ♥️
She is now 5-0 in Major quarterfinals 👏 pic.twitter.com/vB5Xcu2pSC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 4, 2025
While Osaka’s determination shone brightly, Muchová’s resilience was equally striking. Despite receiving treatment for a left-leg issue and moving cautiously with heavy strapping on her thigh, the Czech continued to test Osaka and keep the second set fiercely competitive.
Yet, Osaka ensured she remained undefeated in Grand Slam quarterfinals, extending her perfect 5-0 record as she advanced to the semifinals, where she would face home favorite Amanda Anisimova.
What Did Osaka Say After Her Historic US Open Quarterfinal Triumph?
Osaka’s performance at the US Open was no sudden breakthrough; it resulted from hard work and relentless effort. After the match, she highlighted this dedication, thanked her team, and urged the crowd to support her in the next round.
“It means so much. I’m surprised I’m not crying. I was sitting up there watching and hoping I would have an opportunity to play on this court again, so my dreams are coming true … There’s been so much hard work you guys haven’t seen. I’m just grateful to my team. Hopefully you guys will come and watch my next round,” she said.
The challenge ahead promises to be formidable for Osaka, with another higher-ranked player, Amanda Anisimova, standing in her path. The American enters the match not only with the support of the home crowd but also on the back of a straight-set victory over World No. 2 Iga Świątek, avenging her Wimbledon defeat.
Adding to Osaka’s difficulties is Anisimova’s 2-0 head-to-head advantage over her. Despite this, Osaka’s experience and strength at the US Open keep her very much in contention.
