Naomi Osaka’s journey back to the top of tennis hasn’t been a smooth ride. Fans watched as the four-time Major winner stepped onto the court last year after a long break for her pregnancy, only to struggle with her game and confidence. Even for elite athletes, getting back into rhythm after such a hiatus just isn’t easy.
The Japanese star, known for voicing her thoughts openly across platforms, recently revisited a candid message she had shared last year about the challenges of her postpartum game.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say Upon Reflecting on Her Earlier Post Addressing Postpartum Difficulties?
Naomi Osaka quickly made waves on the WTA Tour with four Major titles and two WTA 1000 trophies, but things changed after she returned in January last year from a 15-month break to welcome her daughter, Shai. While she managed quarterfinal runs in Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, most of her comeback came with quick exits. Osaka didn’t reach the main draw in Cincinnati after falling to Ashlyn Krueger in qualifying.
Just days after her disappointing exit in Cincinnati, Osaka opened up on social media, saying she didn’t feel like herself on the court and describing what it was like to miss routine shots or hit the ball with less pace than before.
“My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body. It’s a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn’t miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to. I try and tell myself ‘it’s fine you’re doing great, just get through this one and keep pushing’, mentally it’s really draining though. Internally I hear myself screaming ‘what the hell is happening?!?!” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram message.
Osaka’s mindset seemed to shift this year as she looked back on that tough stretch. She reposted her message from a year ago to her Instagram story and wrote, “Crazy, I wrote this a year ago. What a journey life is.”
This season has been a turnaround for Osaka, with a runner-up finish in Auckland and Montreal, and her first title in nearly four years coming at Saint-Malo.
Osaka Eager for a Return Ahead of the 2025 US Open Following a Dominant Canadian Open Run
Osaka’s most recent run at the 2025 Canadian Open grabbed attention. She battled through the draw as an unseeded player, taking down Ariana Arseneault, Liudmila Samsonova, Jeļena Ostapenko, Anastasija Sevastova, and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals, where she overcame Clara Tauson.
Osaka came up short in the final, losing to Victoria Mboko, 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, but that tournament marked a turning point in her year.
After that grueling stretch, the 27-year-old decided to skip the Cincinnati Open, saying she needed to change her schedule. She had earned a first-round bye in Cincinnati thanks to her strong Montreal showing.
MORE: Naomi Osaka Shows Sign of Tennis Return, Days After Montreal Controversy and Cincinnati Cancelation
This decision made it clear that Osaka was turning her attention to the US Open, the last Major of the season. She shared a photo on Instagram, featuring her shoes and racket on a hard court, hinting at a practice session.
That Canadian Open performance paid off in the rankings, bumping Osaka to World No. 25 and securing her a seeded spot at the US Open, where she’s already won twice, in 2018 and 2020. With her form coming back and momentum building, Osaka has a real chance to chase a third Flushing Meadows crown and her fifth Grand Slam title.