Tracy Austin recently shared her thoughts on Naomi Osaka’s ongoing struggle to regain her top form despite the support of her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Austin’s comments came in the wake of Osaka’s first round exit at the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open.
Osaka recently wrapped up her clay court season by winning a title at the 2025 L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, beating Kaja Juvan in the final. Before beginning her grass court swing, she competed at the French Open, where she lost in the first round to Paula Badosa.
Tracy Austin Made Her Feelings Known on Naomi Osaka’s Round 1 Loss at the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open
At the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open, Osaka received a wild-card entry into the main draw. She faced 2021 champion Liudmila Samsonova in her opening match, starting strong by winning the first set 6-3. Samsonova then mounted a comeback, winning the next two sets and securing the match 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
With the win, Samsonova advanced to the second round, where she will face defending champion Jessica Pegula.
In her post-match analysis on Tennis Channel, Austin expressed disappointment in Osaka’s performance. She said she had not expected it would take this long for the four-time Grand Slam champion to regain her form, especially given her work ethic and commitment to Mouratoglou’s training.
“I got to be honest, I did not think it would take this long for someone who’s won four Majors and has been so committed, working with Patrick Mouratoglou, worked so hard, when she’s lost, she goes back to the Academy. Super proud of Naomi for trying to play better on the clay,” Austin said.
Austin pointed out that Osaka has historically excelled on hard courts, having won all four of her Grand Slam titles on that surface, and has never been fully comfortable on grass.
“The four Majors were all on hard and never felt comfortable on the grass. Second round at Wimbledon last year to Emma Navarro, but she can’t wait for the summer to happen. But I would have thought by now that match point that she had against Iga at the French, that’s maybe where two years ago, where it could have turned,” Austin continued.
The two-time Grand Slam champion also said Osaka seems to be losing some of her “aura,” as doubts are creeping in and opponents now believe they can beat her.
“And I just think she’s starting to have some doubts because she’s losing 6-4 in the third, 7-5 in the third. Her aura is lost a little. And others think ‘I can beat her.’ That’s a tough situation for her to be in right now,” she said.
While Austin acknowledged that Osaka started strong against Samsonova, she added that the Russian played a more complete match and ultimately wore her down.
“Osaka, who looked so good in the early stages, got the lead. And for Naomi, she’d been feeling really good playing on each and every surface, trying to become more well-rounded. Samsonova kept pushing Osaka six, eight feet and that’s not where Osaka is going to be playing her best tennis. She’s won grass court titles before and a perfect game tailor-suited for this surface,” Austin added.
Looking ahead, Osaka is expected to compete at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, scheduled for June 30 to July 13 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.