Naomi Osaka Dismisses Ankle Injury Concerns with ‘Getting Old’ Joke After Wimbledon Exit

Naomi Osaka caused a huge upset, only to exit from Wimbledon in her next match. In her career’s first fourth-round match at SW19, Osaka clinched a straight-set win over fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka.

But in the quarterfinals versus Karolina Muchova held on Tuesday (July 7), Osaka failed to end the match in her favor, losing with scores of 7-6(4), 6-4. At the press conference later, a journalist asked if she had an ankle issue.

It’s not my ankle. I’m just getting old (laughs). I have plantar fasciitis in my feet. That’s what we assume it is, but no, that happened to me in Germany. So it’s never my ankles. I actually have really flexible ankles. Thanks for asking.

Before arriving in London, the Japanese ace made her career’s first final on grass at the Bad Homburg Open, but she was forced to give the walkover to Muchova because of foot issues. The latest win helped the Czech ace improve her head-to-head record over Osaka to 4-3. It was also their second meeting on grass.

It was the second time since her return to the tour from maternity leave in 2024 that the former World No.1 reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal, following last year’s US Open semifinal, which she lost to eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova.

It kind of started happening off-season last year. I feel like maybe it’s because I’m a lot more springy on my toes. I think it reactivated on grass court because I’m pushing off a lot more to go forward. I don’t think it will bother me on hard court. I’m thinking it was maybe just the surface change.

Naomi Osaka added

Osaka last won a tour-level title at the 2021 Australian Open. And after her return to the tour, she has so far made four finals, including at the Canadian Open last year, losing the match to home favorite Victoria Mboko.

Karolina Muchova sets up a semifinal match against Coco Gauff after eliminating Naomi Osaka

Karolina Muchova has been enjoying decent form this season. She has so far made three finals, lifting titles at the Dubai Tennis Championships by defeating Victoria Mboko and at the Bad Homburg Open after receiving a walkover from Naomi Osaka. But in the Stuttgart Open final, she lost to World No.2 Elena Rybakina.

In the ongoing tournament, the 29-year-old will face fellow first-time Wimbledon semifinalist Coco Gauff. The American ace, winner of two Grand Slam singles titles, came from a set down to defeat countrywoman Jessica Pegula in her career’s first Wimbledon quarterfinal.

At Roland Garros, I felt I was playing very well, and I put too many expectations on myself. I think I mentally blocked myself. Perhaps I should approach more tournaments as I have approached this Wimbledon because it seems that I play much better that way.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference

In this year’s French Open, the 22-year-old was competing as the defending champion, but her run was ended by Anastasia Potapova in the third round. Gauff, in fact, is chasing her first title of the season at SW19.

I didn’t think this would be the year to achieve it. I think my athletic ability and mobility allow me to adapt to all surfaces. Also, I have been playing these tournaments since I was 15, which has given me a lot of experience and many opportunities to learn.

Coco Gauff added

Even though Gauff holds a 6-1 head-to-head record over Muchova, their last clash, in the quarterfinals of this year’s Stuttgart Open, was won by the 2023 French Open finalist. Gauff, this year, has so far played two finals, losing the Miami Open to Aryna Sabalenka and the Italian Open to Elina Svitolina.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Spotted with Bandage on His Shoulder During Wimbledon Quarterfinals