Naomi Osaka opened up about the special place the US Open holds in her career and shared her heartwarming experiences on and off the court. Ahead of the 2025 US Open, Osaka also reflected on partnering with Gaël Monfils in the revamped mixed doubles event, describing the fun and mentorship she experienced alongside the veteran French star.
Why Does the US Open Hold a Special Place in Naomi Osaka’s Career?
Osaka enters the US Open fresh off a runner-up finish at the Canadian Open in Montreal. She teamed up with Monfils in the mixed doubles, aiming for a share of the $1 million prize, but they were eliminated in the first round by Lorenzo Musetti and Caty McNally, 5-3, 4-2.
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In a pre-tournament press conference in New York, Osaka was asked what she would tell her young daughter, Shai, when she’s old enough to ask about her US Open experiences. The two-time champion described the tournament as her favorite and the most significant of her career.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of experiences at this tournament. I think what I would tell her that this is probably my favorite and the greatest tournament for me, and I have so many really cool and some not-so-cool memories here. For me, the US Open is an embodiment of New York, and it’s very loud and busy, but it’s also really special,” Osaka said.
The Japanese tennis star also shared her admiration for Monfils and the joy of playing alongside him in mixed doubles. “That’s my goat right there. He was super kind. He’s exactly like how I would think of when I see him, just constantly telling me like good point or to keep going. And he’s super adorable. We were talking about our kids. I was joking that we’re team parents because we both have daughters, and he was saying they should go on a play date, which I think was super cute,” she said.
She reflected on Monfils’ influence on her career, recalling watching him and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Miami Open when she was just 10 years old. “I vividly remember sitting there in the heat just waiting for his specific match to come on. So, to play with him was really cool,” she added.
Read More: Naomi Osaka Can’t Stop Gushing Over the Time She Spent With Gaël Monfils During Short US Open Stint
While the early exit from mixed doubles was disappointing, it allows Osaka to focus on her singles campaign. She will take on Belgium’s Greet Minnen in the first round, a player she defeated in straight sets at last year’s Madrid Open, with the winner advancing to face either Hailey Baptiste or Kateřina Siniaková.
