Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Naomi Osaka: Career revival unlocked at 2025 US Open

by Noe
Naomi Osaka: Career revival unlocked at 2025 US Open

Naomi Osaka has chartered a tennis journey that has been nothing short of cinematic in 2025.

The 27-year-old Japanese-born player embodies resilience, self-discovery, and reinvention as she navigates personal struggles and motherhood.

Osaka found the 2025 US Open to be the defining chapter in her latest career revival after she took down rising American star Coco Gauff on September 1, 2025.

That allowed the 5-foot-11 right-hander to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in more than four-and-a-half years.

For fans, this was more than just another win—it represented the rebirth of a champion who, though doubted, was never overlooked.

At 27 yers old, Naomi Osaka embodies resilience, self-discovery, and reinvention as she navigates personal struggles and motherhood.

Naomi Osaka early origins and early career

Naomi Osaka was born on October 16, 1997, in Osaka, Japan, to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father.

She grew up balancing two cultures that shaped her identity on and off the court.

Osaka moved to the United States and trained there since she was three years old, often playing with her sister Mari.

Her father, Francois, trained his daughters the same way Richard Williams molded Serena and Venus Williams as world beaters.

Osaka and her family moved to Florida in 2006, when she was eight years old, and she developed her game at several tennis academies during her teenage years.

Naomi Osaka’s key career snapshots

CategoryDetail
Full Name
Naomi Osaka





BornOctober 16, 1997

Birth PlaceChuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Height180 cm (5-foot-11)

Plays
Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Signature StrengthsControlled aggression, powerful serves, and punishing baseline shots





CoachesTomas Wiktorowski


Highest Ranking


1 (January 28, 2019)
Current Ranking24 (August 2025)
Naomi Osaka toppled Serena Williams, her idol, in the 2018 US Open final for her first Grand Slam title.

Rise to prominence

Osaka rose to prominence at 16 years old when she beat former US Open champion Samantha Stosur in her WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) debut at the 2014 Stanford classic.

She would reach her first WTA final at the 2016 Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and barged into the top 50 of the WTA rankings.

Then, Osaka toppled Serena Williams, her idol, in the 2018 US Open final for her first Grand Slam title.

She would add three more majors after that: the 2019 Australian Open, the 2020 US Open, and the 2021 Australian Open.

After claiming the 2019 Australian Open, Osaka would reach the world No.1 ranking for the first time.

Naomi Osaka rose to prominence at 16 years old when she beat former US Open champion Samantha Stosur in her WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) debut at the 2014 Stanford classic.

Mental health issues, tournament heartbreaks tested Osaka’s resolve

With success came the challenges, as Osaka’s newfound fame brought intense media scrutiny, magnified by her quiet, introverted personality.

She would withdraw at the 2021 French Open as she cited mental health issues following a $15000 fine slapped on her for skipping her news conference.

The next stage of her life came in 2023, when she withdrew from the Australian Open as she expected to give birth to her first child with rapper Cordae.

She would return at the 2024 Brisbane International but she lost to Karolina Pliskova in the second round.

Osaka would not advance beyond the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam or WTA tournament for the whole 2024 season.

See also:

Osaka’s signature style and strengths

Naomi Osaka’s game is built around controlled aggression.

At her peak, she combines thunderous serves with punishing baseline shots that put her opponents on the defensive almost immediately.

Osaka’s forehand, in particular, is among the most feared in women’s tennis, capable of dictating rallies and breaking down her toughest defenders.

What makes her formidable is her adaptability, as well as her improvement in defense and transition play.

Osaka’s strengths lie not just in power, but also in the mental toughness that has carried her through her triumphs.

Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, defeated Gauff, 6-3, 6-2, to reach a major last eight since the 2021 Australian Open. Photo by Getty Images

Osaka’s career revival at 2025 US Open

Naomi Osaka has the perfect platform in her latest career revival at the 2025 US Open.

She opened her campaign by beating Belgium’s Greet Minnen, 6-3, 6-4, before she took out American Hayley Baptiste, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round.

Osaka would push her luck further by outlasting Great Britain’s Daria Kasatkina, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, to arrange a marquee matchup against American world No.3 Coco Gauff.

The four-time Grand Slam winner defeated Gauff, 6-3, 6-2, on september 1, 2025, to reach a major last eight since the 2021 Australian Open.

The victory wasn’t just reaching the quarterfinals – it was a symbolic statement that Osaka was back among the elite.

Regardless of her eventual placing, the 2025 US Open instantly became a milestone in Osaka’s career, reminding the tennis world of her resilience and sparking hope that even greater successes may lie ahead.

Naomi Osaka’s career milestones and major titles

TournamentDivisionResultYear
ITF Circuit finals – ITF El Paso, United States
Women’s singles





Runner-up2013
ITF Circuit finals – ITF Irapuato, MexicoWomen’s Singles

Runner-up2014
ITF Circuit finals – ITF Gifu, JapanWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2015
ITF Circuit finals – ITF Surbiton, United KingdomWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2015

WTA Challenger finals – WTA 125 Hua Hin, Thailand
Women’s Singles

Runner-up2015
WTA Challenger finals – WTA Open de Saint-Malo, FranceWomen’s Singles





Winner2025
WTA Tour finals – Pan Pacific Open (Japan)Women’s SinglesRunner-up2016
WTA Tour finals – Indian Wells Open (US)Women’s SinglesWinner2018
US OpenWomen’s Singles


Winner2018
WTA Tour finals – Pan Pacific Open


Women’s Singles
Runner-up2018
Australian OpenWomen’s SinglesWinner2019











WTA Tour finals – Pan Pacific Open
Women’s SinglesWinner2019
WTA Tour finals – China OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2020
WTA Tour finals – Cincinnati OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2020
US OpenWomen’s SinglesWinner2020
Australian OpenWomen’s SinglesWinner2021
WTA Tour finals – Miami OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2022
WTA Tour finals – Auckland OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2025
WTA Tour finals – Canadian OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2025
WTA 1000 – Indian Wells OpenWomen’s SinglesWinner2018
WTA 1000 – China OpenWomen’s Singles
Winner
2019
WTA 1000 – Cincinnati OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2020
WTA 1000 – Miami OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2022
WTA 1000 – Canadian OpenWomen’s SinglesRunner-up2025

Naomi Osaka’s highest and current ranking

At her peak, Naomi Osaka reached the WTA world No.1 ranking in January 2019, becoming the first Asian player to achieve the feat in singles.

Her dominance on hard courts during that period placed her at the top of the women’s game, and she remained a fixture in the top 10 for several years.

However, she had slipped out of the top 300 by 2023 due to skipping tournaments following mental health issues and motherhood.

Osaka’s latest comeback, highlighted by her big win over Coco Gauff in the 2025 US Open, has reignited her climb up the rankings.

With more consistent play, she has a realistic chance to re-enter the top 10 by the end of 2025.

What’s more, Osaka’s trajectory proves that rankings can fluctuate, but greatness and determination endure.

One of the biggest milestones on the horizon is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Representing Japan on the grandest stage would be a full-circle moment for Naomi Osaka, who played in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

What future holds for Osaka?

Looking ahead, the big question is how far can Naomi Osaka go.

At 27 years old in 2025, she is entering what could be the second prime of her career.

Another Grand Slam title is within reach, especially on the hard courts, where she remains one of the game’s most dominant players.

One of the biggest milestones on the horizon is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Representing Japan on the grandest stage would be a full-circle moment for Osaka.

The next three years will be critical, but if her 2025 US Open revival is any indication, the tennis world hasn’t seen the last of her greatness.

Osaka’s Grand Slam record

Tournament2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Australian Open
3R





2R4RWinner3RWinner3RAbsent (A)First Round (1R)Third round (3R)
French Open3R

1R3R3RA2R1RASecond Round (2R)First round (1R)
WimbledonA3R3R1RNot held (pandemic)AAA2R3R
US Open3R3RWinner4RWinner3R1RA2R
Osaka’s story proves that comebacks are possible, challenges can be overcome, and greatness can be redefined on one’s own terms. Photo by Getty Images

Naomi Osaka: In retrospect

Naomi Osaka’s career is a testament to the unpredictable yet inspiring journey of elite athletes.

From her beginnings as a quiet Florida girl to becoming a four-time Grand Slam champion and world No.1.

Her 2025 US Open win over Coco Gauff marked a symbolic revival, ushering in a new era for Osaka’s career.

Whether she adds more Grand Slam titles, climbs back to No.1, or plays at the 2028 LA Olympics, Osaka has left an indelible mark on tennis and inspired a new generation of players from Mirra Andreeva to Alexandra Eala.

Osaka’s story proves that comebacks are possible, challenges can be overcome, and greatness can be redefined on one’s own terms.

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