Naomi Osaka Exits US Open in Second Round After Tough Loss to Karolina Muchova


New York—Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam journey at the US Open came to an abrupt end on Thursday night as the four-time major champion fell to the talented Czech, Karolina Muchova, in the second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After securing her first Top-10 victory in over four years against Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, Osaka struggled to maintain that momentum and was defeated 6-3, 7-6 by Muchova. The loss leaves Osaka with a 3-4 record for this year’s Grand Slam season.

Osaka, who returned to the tour this season after maternity leave, expressed her deep disappointment after the match. “It’s a little rough because I do take these losses really personally,” she admitted. “It’s like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose. It sucks a lot, but I’ve been trying to be more mature and learn and talk more about them.”


The 26-year-old had three set points in the second set, serving at 5-4, 40-0, but nerves got the better of her, leading to some uncharacteristically loose play. “I think during the pressure moments I got nervous, and I don’t know if I just have to keep playing more matches and get used to that feeling, especially on a really big stage,” Osaka reflected. “Honestly, if I get past the disappointment, I feel pretty proud of myself to have gotten that many opportunities while still feeling like I could have played much better.”

Despite the loss, Osaka has made significant progress in her comeback, climbing from outside the Top 800 to a current ranking of 85. “Honestly, I feel like I’m coming back from pregnancy, but also it wasn’t like in 2022 I was the best version of myself. So in some way, I had to catch up to that, and then also I’m trying to pass it at the same time,” she said. “It’s been a little difficult because I can only gauge how I’m doing by results. I feel faster, I feel better, but I lost in the second round. So it’s a little rough.”

Osaka remains hopeful, despite the frustrations of her slower-than-expected return to form. “Still in my brain, I think that I can win these tournaments,” she said. “I feel like eventually it will all piece itself together. It might not be on the timeline that I want it to be, but I think it will come eventually.”

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