Queens, NY — After nearly five years away from the semifinal stage of a Grand Slam, Naomi Osaka is back—fueled by passion, perspective, and a renewed belief in her game.
On Wednesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 27-year-old former world No. 1 defeated No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3) in a compelling U.S. Open quarterfinal clash. The win secured her place in a major semifinal for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open and continued a steady and meaningful resurgence for a player who once contemplated stepping away from tennis altogether.
“It’s easy to say you’ll quit, but actually doing it is terrifying,” Osaka said after her fourth-round win over Coco Gauff earlier this week. “Tennis is like breathing for me—I’ve been doing this since I was 3 years old. I wouldn’t know what else to do.”
For Osaka, this comeback has been more than just a return to form; it’s been a rediscovery of identity. Following a prolonged break from the sport in 2023 that included giving birth to her daughter, pursuing projects in fashion and television, and reflecting deeply on her mental health, Osaka stepped back into the tennis world with both uncertainty and curiosity.
Her results were mixed early on. A runner-up finish in Auckland gave some optimism, and she notched a couple of notable wins at the Australian Open, including one over Muchova. But back-to-back early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon showed just how difficult the road back to elite status could be.
The turning point came this summer.
After a second-round loss to Emma Raducanu in Washington, D.C., Osaka called a meeting with her team. Despite the defeat, she told them confidently, “I still think I can beat anyone from the baseline. We just need to adjust the plan.”
That pivot led to a coaching change. She parted ways with Patrick Mouratoglou—who had coached her since late 2024—and brought on Tomasz Wiktorowski, best known for his work with Polish players including Iga Świątek and Agnieszka Radwańska. Osaka admitted she wasn’t even sure how to pronounce his name at first, but the connection was immediate.
Wiktorowski introduced a more balanced, fitness-focused approach, encouraging Osaka to incorporate greater patience and consistency into her power game. The result? A finalist run in Montreal and a renewed sense of rhythm and belief.
“I’ve learned to enjoy just getting balls back,” Osaka said with a smile. “And I love Tomasz’s coaching style—he’s very honest and clear, and I think that’s what I needed.”
The new strategy paid dividends in her fourth-round win over Gauff, a match that marked a psychological milestone. Gauff, a fierce defender and recent Slam winner, thrives on disrupting big hitters—but Osaka controlled the tempo and held her nerve in key moments.
Following that victory, Osaka spoke candidly to the Ashe crowd: “I was up in the stands last year, watching and hoping I’d get the chance to play here again. To be out here now—it feels like I’m living my dream again.”
That sentiment, raw and heartfelt, underscores the emotional depth of Osaka’s journey. Since resuming her career in early 2024, she has navigated disappointment, self-doubt, and the high expectations that once weighed her down. Along the way, she’s also tapped into something more sustainable: joy.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that I love tennis more than I ever realized,” she said. “I love the challenge. It’s like a video game—you fail a level, but you just keep going until you win. It can be frustrating, but I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.”
Ranked No. 24 entering the U.S. Open, Osaka has now taken down the No. 3 and No. 11 seeds in succession. On Thursday night, she’ll face Amanda Anisimova for a place in the final.
Win or lose, one thing is certain: Naomi Osaka’s comeback is no longer just a story of return—it’s a story of growth, resilience, and rediscovery.
And it’s far from over.
