Naomi Osaka recently recounted a humorous yet candid realization she had while watching the 2023 US Open semifinals from the stands, just two months after giving birth to her daughter, Shai. The former world No. 1 admitted that, at the time, she seriously doubted whether she would ever rediscover her A-game, or even reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows again. However, a significant achievement she pulled off this year ultimately transformed that perspective.
Naomi Osaka Opens Up on a ‘Crazy’ US Open Realization After Once Doubting Herself
Osaka burst onto the global stage at a remarkably young age, announcing her arrival with a breakthrough triumph at the 2018 US Open, where she defeated her idol, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, in the final. The Japanese has so far captured four Grand Slam titles, the 2018 and 2020 US Opens and the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens, as of December 2025.
Like many of the sport’s greats, Osaka also experienced a dip in form upon returning to the tour following her maternity hiatus, which she announced in January 2023. She welcomed her daughter, Shai, with her former boyfriend, American rapper Cordae, in July 2023. Making her comeback in January 2024, Osaka initially struggled to rediscover her best level. However, after enduring a title drought of more than four years, she finally ended it by lifting the trophy in Saint-Malo.
Notably, less than two months after the delivery of her daughter, Osaka returned to the Grand Slam she had won twice, but this time as a spectator. She drew attention by stepping into Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch eventual champion Coco Gauff face 10th seed Karolína Muchová and eventually win 6-4, 7-5.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, known for openly penning her thoughts on social media, recently revealed that while watching the semifinals, she questioned whether she would ever again make such a deep run at the same Grand Slam.
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“Something crazy I just realized, a little over two years ago I watched the semi’s of the us open from the audience seats and I was wondering if I would ever be able to go deep in that tournament again. Life is funny,” she wrote on Threads.
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The 28-year-old’s resolve eventually dispelled those doubts. During this year’s North American swing, Osaka offered a glimpse of her old self, first reaching the final of the Canadian Open before advancing to the US Open semifinals, where her run ended against Amanda Anisimova. Notably, her path to the last four included a victory over World No. 3 Coco Gauff, whom she had watched lift the trophy in 2023.
