Naomi Osaka Not ‘Disappointed’ After US Open Exit: “It’s a Very Strange Feeling”

Naomi Osaka‘s 2026 US Open run ended at the hands of World No.2 Elena Rybakina on Monday (September 7). Osaka, chasing her fifth Grand Slam title, lost to the Kazakh ace 6-1, 6-4. It marked the second time she lost in the fourth round of a Major this year, following the French Open. The only time she reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal this year was at Wimbledon.

Last year at the US Open, eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova came from a set down to knock out the four-time Grand Slam champion in the semifinals. It was also the first time she reached a Major semifinal since her victory at the 2021 Australian Open. At the press conference after her latest defeat, the 28-year-old said she is surprised that she is not sad about crashing out of the tournament she won twice.

I think there’s always something [laughs]. That’s a way that I can have fun and sort of just excite myself also. But I’m honestly not disappointed now. It’s a very strange feeling. And last year I wasn’t that disappointed either. Amanda just played really insane. Maybe I’m just getting older, but I don’t feel sad.

Since winning the 2021 Australian Open, Osaka has reached four finals, losing all. This year, she made the final of the Bad Homburg Open, where she handed the walkover to Karolina Muchova.

I think I’m happy I’m taking losses differently. I’m trying to learn from them a lot more. Today, if I was to say I’m sad, I was sad that I couldn’t push off on my foot. I’m sad I couldn’t do what I set out to do. But for me, if I think about my life, my daughter is healthy. Everyone in my family is great. I had an opportunity to play this Slam. I got as far as I could. It’s only up from here, I guess.

Naomi Osaka added

Rybakina is just one match away from dethroning Aryna Sabalenka from the No.1 ranking. But she will face a very tricky opponent, a resurgent Qinwen Zheng, in the quarterfinals.

Naomi Osaka on Elena Rybakina’s ace on match point

Elena Rybakina smashed seven aces during her match against Naomi Osaka. The Ace Queen hit that seventh ace on match point.

I felt like… the immediate thought I had in my head when she hit the ace, I was like, ‘Damn.’ I can’t really do anything about it. I watched it pass me. At that point you’re like, well, she hit an amazing shot. Like, great shot. That was basically it. If I had any regrets? No. Maybe I could’ve covered it. She has a great serve, so she probably would’ve hit the other way. I just felt like I learned.

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference

The 27-year-old has improved her head-to-head record over the Japanese ace to 2-0. Her quarterfinal opponent, Qinwen Zheng, upset six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. Zheng, in fact, came from 0-5 down in the final set to stun 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys. She repeated the same in the first set against Swiatek.

The Chinese ace, a former World No.4, had to play the qualifiers, as she is ranked 121st. Rybakina holds a 4-1 head-to-head lead over Zheng, also winning their last two matches. They will be locking horns for the third time this season after their clash in the fourth round of the Qatar Open and the third round of the Madrid Open.

The 23-year-old is a one-time runner-up in Majors, reaching the stage at the 2024 Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka denied her the win.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Claps Back at “Future” Claims After Reaching 2026 US Open Quarterfinals