Naomi Osaka recently shared that she had to rush to secure transportation to the 2025 Citi DC Open practice venue due to a miscommunication regarding the correct start time for her practice session. The WTA 500 hard court tournament is set to take place from July 21-27 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington, D.C.
In addition to Osaka, players like Emma Raducanu, Emma Navarro, Elena Rybakina, two-time former singles champion Jessica Pegula, Sofia Kenin, Clara Tauson, and Marta Kostyuk, among others, will compete at the WTA 500 tournament.
Notably, Venus Williams will also be making her return to tennis at this event after more than a year away from the sport.
Naomi Osaka Rushes To Practice Site in a Car After Being Misinformed About Start Time at Citi DC Open 2025
Following the conclusion of her grass court season at the Wimbledon Championships, Osaka is set to commence her hard court season at the 2025 Citi DC Open. This marks her second appearance at the tournament, having last competed there in 2018.
In 2018, the former world No. 1 was seeded third and began her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Bernarda Pera, winning 6-2, 7-6(4) in the first round. Her run ended in the second round when she fell to Magda Linette, with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6.
Before beginning her WTA 500 tournament in Washington, Osaka shared a video capturing her traveling to the practice venue. The footage featured her traveling alongside her team in a car filled with tennis equipment bags.
“When the practice desk tells you you’re practicing offsite 10min before your start time so you gotta rush in the car cause you’re late 😖,” Osaka captioned her Instagram story.
The four-time Grand Slam champion revealed that she had to rush to the car with only ten minutes to spare, as she was misinformed about the correct start time for her practice session.
Speaking about returning to play at the Citi DC Open after a seven-year absence, Osaka expressed excitement in returning to Washington, D.C.
“I’m really excited to be heading back to Washington to play the Mubadala Citi DC Open. It’s been seven years since I was last there. I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and the DC crowd again, it should be a great week,” Osaka said via WJLA.
Following the conclusion of her run at the WTA 500 tournament, Osaka is next expected to participate in the 2025 Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the US Open. The former world No. 1 claimed the New York Major title twice, in 2018 and 2020, by defeating Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in the finals, respectively.
