Naomi Osaka’s journey back to the top of the tennis world has been nothing short of dramatic, filled with challenges, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. After a 15-month hiatus to welcome her daughter, Shai, Osaka returned to the WTA Tour in January 2024, but her comeback wasn’t the seamless transition many expected from a four-time Grand Slam champion. Instead, fans witnessed a player grappling with both her game and her confidence, a struggle that Osaka herself would candidly share with the world.
In those early comeback months, Osaka’s results were a far cry from the dominance she once displayed. Quick exits became the norm, including a particularly tough loss in the Cincinnati qualifying rounds to Ashlyn Krueger in August 2024. Just days after that defeat, Osaka took to Instagram to share her frustrations and the mental toll of returning to elite competition after childbirth. "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, giving fans an unfiltered look into her mindset.
Fast forward to August 2025, and the narrative around Osaka has shifted dramatically. In a poignant moment, Osaka reposted her year-old Instagram message, reflecting, "Crazy, I wrote this a year ago. What a journey life is." That journey has seen her not only reclaim her place among the sport’s elite but also embrace her identity as both a mother and a competitor. The transformation has been evident on the court, where Osaka’s fortunes have turned around in a big way this season.
Osaka’s 2025 campaign has been marked by a series of eye-catching results. She reached the finals in Auckland and Montreal, signaling that her game—and her belief—were returning. The breakthrough came at Saint-Malo, where she captured her first title in nearly four years, a victory that seemed to lift a weight from her shoulders. But the real statement came at the 2025 Canadian Open, where Osaka, unseeded and unfazed, tore through the draw with a string of impressive victories.
Her run in Canada was nothing short of electrifying. Starting with wins over Ariana Arseneault and Liudmila Samsonova, Osaka then toppled Jeļena Ostapenko, Anastasija Sevastova, and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. There, she overcame Clara Tauson in a gritty battle, booking her spot in the final against rising star Victoria Mboko. Though Osaka fell 6-2, 4-6, 1-6 in the championship match, her performance throughout the tournament was a clear signal that she was once again a force to be reckoned with on the hard courts.
The Canadian Open run didn’t just boost Osaka’s confidence—it also propelled her up the WTA rankings, landing her at World No. 25 and securing her a seeded position at the upcoming US Open. For a player who has twice lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows, in 2018 and 2020, the momentum couldn’t have come at a better time. Rather than risk fatigue or injury, Osaka made the calculated decision to skip the Cincinnati Open, focusing her energy on preparing for the season’s final Grand Slam.
Off the court, Osaka’s story has resonated far beyond the baseline. On August 18, 2025, she appeared on NBC’s "TODAY" show, opening up about her new documentary, "The Second Set." The film, which chronicles her journey through motherhood and back to professional tennis, was, in her words, motivated by a desire for people to understand the story of motherhood. "One of my biggest motivators was …for people to, like, understand the story of motherhood. But also I kind of wanted a little time capsule for my daughter to watch when she grows up," Osaka explained during the interview. Her willingness to share both her struggles and triumphs has made her a role model for athletes and parents alike.
The documentary isn’t just a personal project—it’s a testament to how Osaka is redefining what it means to be an elite athlete and a mother. Balancing the demands of the WTA Tour with the responsibilities of parenthood has not been easy, but Osaka’s openness has helped spark important conversations about postpartum experiences in sports. Her reflections on the past year, both in interviews and on social media, illustrate a journey marked by vulnerability, growth, and an unwavering commitment to her family and her craft.
Looking ahead to the 2025 US Open, Osaka is brimming with anticipation. She’s already teasing fans about her on-court fashion, a topic that’s become something of a tradition for the star. "A lot of people really loved my US Open outfit last year. I think it was a little controversial, but this year is going to be really good too," she told "TODAY." It’s a playful nod to her status as both a style icon and a trendsetter on the tennis circuit.
But it’s not just singles competition that has Osaka excited for Flushing Meadows. With a new mixed doubles format debuting at the tournament, she’s set to partner with one of her favorite players, a childhood idol she used to watch from the stands. "I don’t know too much about it, but I do know I’m playing with one of my favorite players in the world. It’s so funny. I used to go watch him as a kid, so to be playing with him now on my side of the net," she shared, her enthusiasm palpable.
As the final Grand Slam of the season approaches, all eyes are on Osaka. Can she channel her recent form and hard-won perspective into a deep run in New York? With her ranking restored, her confidence rebuilt, and her story inspiring fans around the world, the stage is set for a compelling US Open campaign. Whether or not she adds a third Flushing Meadows crown and a fifth Grand Slam title to her resume, Osaka’s comeback has already become one of the most captivating narratives in tennis this year.
For now, Naomi Osaka is back where she belongs—on the sport’s biggest stage, chasing history, and showing the world that motherhood and elite athletic achievement can go hand in hand. The tennis world will be watching closely as she steps onto the hard courts of New York, ready to write the next chapter in her remarkable journey.
