Naomi Osaka Reveals Why She Ends Up Crying While Competing on Asian Swing Ahead of China Open Campaign

Naomi Osaka is gearing up for the China Open, where she will kick off her campaign against Maria Timofeeva in the second round. She already has one China Open title.

Back in 2019, in her third appearance in the tournament, the four-time Grand Slam champion came from a set down to defeat fellow former World No.1 Ash Barty and took home the second WTA 1000 title of her career.

It was her career’s second title on the Asian swing, following the Pan Pacific Open, which she won the same season. The Japanese ace, ahead of starting her campaign in the ongoing event, said during the pre-tournament press conference that whenever she plays in Asia, the heartwarming messages she receives from fans make her very emotional.

When I come here, I just feel like they’re so grateful that the players come, and they always give such amazing presents and notes. Whenever I come here, people give me letters, and I always read them and cry because they’re so touching, so yeah, it’s never felt like a burden or anything like that.

Since winning the WTA 1000 trophy in Beijing, Osaka has not yet lifted another title at this level. Last year in this tournament, her run ended in the second round.

You know, I feel like I’ve always been really fortunate because, to your point, I’ve been able to have fans around the world, so it’s never felt like one place has more than any other. It’s kind of like a melting pot of a community that is really kind to me.

Naomi Osaka added

The 28-year-old is enjoying a decent run of form this year, with deep runs in several tournaments, including Wimbledon, where she reached the quarterfinals for the first time in her career. She also reached the final of the Bad Homburg Open (her first final on grass) but handed the walkover to Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova.

Naomi Osaka admits she was sad after US Open early exit

Before arriving in Beijing, Naomi Osaka competed at the US Open, where eventual champion Elena Rybakina cruised past her in the fourth round. Right after her exit, Osaka said she was not “sad” or “disappointed“ and instead was “happy I’m taking losses differently.” But at the pre-tournament press conference at the China Open, she admitted that she experienced different emotions after failing to make a deep run.

I am happy with the consistency. I think, obviously, from Wimbledon to now, I’ve reached deeper in tournaments, or more consistently deeper in tournaments than before, so I’m happy about that. Obviously, the US Open means a lot to me, so I’m sad I couldn’t have gotten further, but I’m hopeful for this swing.

Osaka has lifted two of her four Major trophies at the New York Slam back in 2018 and 2020. She has not yet made another Grand Slam final following her victory at the 2021 Australian Open. Since that win, Osaka has made just one Major semifinal, in last year’s US Open.

Since her win at the 2019 China Open, Osaka has played three WTA 1000 finals, last reaching this stage at the 2025 Canadian Open. The last time she made a deep run in a WTA 1000 event was at this year’s Canadian Open, where eventual runner-up Rybakina eliminated her in the quarterfinals.

Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Amanda Anisimova is the reigning champion in the Chinese capital. But due to a wrist injury, she has ended her season. Rybakina is competing as the top seed and is chasing her third Big Title of the season after wins at the Australian Open and the US Open.

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