Naomi Osaka Shares Whether She Thought of Quitting Tennis Due to Poor Performances Ahead of US Open Quarterfinals

Naomi Osaka will lock horns with Iga Swiatek or Amanda Anisimova if she beats Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Naomi Osaka Shares Whether She Thought of Quitting Tennis Due to Poor Performances Ahead of US Open Quarterfinals

Naomi Osaka (Image via X/TNT Sports)

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Naomi Osaka never thought of hanging up her racket because of her consistent struggles in the past. She rather focused on how she can get back to where she was at one time – in the top 10. Her perseverance has finally paid off. Osaka is inching closer to her third final of the season, and the win will help her get closer to a top 10 ranking.

On Monday (September 1), she defeated 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff to reach her first US Open quarterfinals since lifting the title in 2020. It will also be her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since her win at the 2021 Australian Open. Following the match, Osaka was asked at the press conference if she ever thought of retiring.

Honestly, not close at all. I don’t know if that means, like, I like pain or something, but no. It’s one thing to say it, but I think to actually do it, to hang up my racket for me permanently, would be a very scary thing. I’ve been playing this sport since I was three. I tell people it’s like breathing air to me. I wouldn’t really know what to do.

This season, Osaka made it to the third rounds of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and crashed out of the French Open first round. Against Gauff, she now holds a 3-3 head-to-head record.

Although Gauff’s Grand Slam campaign has ended, she has already grabbed one of these titles – at the French Open by beating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. It was her third consecutive final on clay. Since her French Open win (also her first and only title so far this season), Gauff has not yet reached a singles final. She will next be playing the China Open and will aim to defend her title.

Naomi Osaka on her match against Coco Gauff

It was Coco Gauff‘s second encounter against Naomi Osaka at the US Open. Back in 2019, a year after Gauff turned pro, she faced Osaka in the US Open third round.

Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff (2)
Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff (Image via X/TNT Sports, Coco Gauff)

In her home Major, the then 15-year-old Gauff played her second Grand Slam main draw match after Wimbledon the same year. Gauff was no match for the then-defending champion. And now that the Japanese ace has once again knocked out the home favorite, she is nothing but happy at the moment.

The main thing I want to take from this tournament is simply that I want to have fun. I know in my first round, I was too nervous to smile, and my match against [Daria] Kasatkina was not joyful. Coming into this match, I just wanted to be grateful. She is one of the best players in the world. For me, honestly, I have more fun when I play against the best players. I love it when they hit amazing shots or aces, because that’s how they win the tournaments they win.

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference

But Osaka, rather than being complacent after beating the World No.3, will be aiming to beat her quarterfinal opponent, Karolina Muchova, who eliminated Marta Kostyuk in the previous round. Muchova, the 2023 French Open runner-up, has never squared off against the four-time Grand Slam champion.

The winner of this match will face Iga Swiatek or Amanda Anisimova. Osaka has played two matches against the six-time Grand Slam champion, including in the second round of the Roland Garros last year, where the eventual champion was on the verge of elimination. Swiatek holds a 2-1 head-to-head record over the two-time US Open champion and is chasing her second Major of the season after her Wimbledon win (double-bageled Anisimova).

Against Anisimova, Osaka lost both matches they have played against each other. They last met in the first round of the 2022 French Open. While Anisimova will be playing her first US Open quarterfinals, Swiatek lifted the title here back in 2022 by defeating Ons Jabeur.

Also read: Jiri Lehecka Reveals the Biggest Weapon of Carlos Alcaraz Ahead of their US Open Quarterfinals