Naomi Osaka’s 2025 US Open journey ended as Amanda Anisimova edged her 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in their semifinal on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Osaka fought valiantly but fell short in a match that lasted nearly three hours, and in a post-match interview, she revealed how a single question about her Labubu dolls cut deeper than any loss.
Naomi Osaka’s Defeat and the Labubu Question
Osaka started strong, winning the opening set in a tight tiebreak, but Anisimova dug in to take the second set in the same fashion. In the decider, the American seized momentum, breaking the Japanese early and closing out the match after 2 hours and 56 minutes.
Forced to confront the end of her US Open dream, Osaka faced a question about her next labubu doll that rattled her more than the loss itself.
“Don’t make me cry, man,” she snapped, calling it the most devastating question. “I literally just talked about this, but I wanted to make one of myself in my last-year outfit, and it was the green one with the bow, and I’m sick about it. Oh my god, that’s like the worst thing honestly. I’m fine losing but don’t ask me about this Labubu.”
Last year, Osaka wore a green dress at the US Open, the one she called her favorite, and had planned a matching Labubu to celebrate her 2025 campaign.
Naomi Osaka wearing custom Nike x Ambush to the 2024 US Open pic.twitter.com/QV3NE05b2N
— Lola (@malbwgaf) August 28, 2024
This year, Osaka introduced five sparkling Labubus, each named after tennis legends: Billie Jean Bling, Arthur Flashe, LaBillieBu, Althea Glitterson, and Andre Swagassi. Each doll made its debut after one of her wins, drawing cheers and viral moments as it dangled from her bag and matched her flower-inspired kits.
Osaka’s Promising 2025 US Open Campaign
The Japanese entered the tournament as the 23rd seed, which marked the first time she entered as a seeded player in a Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open. Osaka’s return to form saw her reach her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2021. She opened with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Greet Minnen and followed that with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over the American, Hailey Baptiste.
Osaka then ousted 15th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round before beating third seed Coco Gauff to reach her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2021. Here, the Japanese beat 11th seed Karolína Muchová before suffering her close defeat to Amanda Anisimova.
Following her US Open exit, Osaka is next scheduled to compete at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
