Naomi Osaka Makes Triumphant Return to US Open Semifinals, Proving She’s Back at Her Best

A Remarkable Return to Form

Naomi Osaka has advanced to the US Open semifinals after defeating No. 11 Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3), marking her first return to the tournament’s final four since winning the title five years ago.

The former champion, who is seeded at a major for the first time since giving birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023, has been displaying her best tennis since rejoining the tour after a 17-month maternity leave.

Dominant Performance

Her path to the semifinals has been impressive, including a commanding victory over No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, whom she defeated 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 16. Remarkably, she has only dropped one set throughout the entire tournament.

Her recent form has been particularly noteworthy, as she has won six consecutive matches against WTA top-20 opponents, matching her career-best streak from 2019-20.

Personal Growth and Professional Evolution

While representing Japan on the international stage, Osaka has overcome significant challenges, including struggles with her mental health and experiencing “extremely bad” postpartum after Shai’s birth. Her journey back to professional tennis in 2024 initially saw mixed results, with early exits in several major tournaments.

Looking Ahead

History suggests promising prospects for Osaka – in all four previous occasions she has reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal, she has gone on to win the championship. A victory at this year’s US Open would add another remarkable chapter to her legacy, particularly significant after becoming a mother and working to regain her competitive edge.

After her recent victory, Osaka expressed her emotional connection to the tournament, stating, “This is my favorite court in the world,” and adding that “it means so much to me to be back here.”