New York – Two years ago, Naomi Osaka Arthur ash sitting in a stand at the Stadium and saw Coco goff US Open Final with a win Karolina Muchova,
For Osaka, it was a clear reminder where she was – and where she was in the present time.
He was removed from his final title in the tournament for three years, and Just two months after giving birth to his daughter Shai. Being a spectator, reminded him what the lights liked to play in front of 24,000 people were shining. She could not wait to get out of there again.
She did not formally return to practice, but Osaka could take a picture out of there, playing against the top players, was deep in the slam.
A few weeks later, he made his comeback to the practice court, which was more inspired than ever.
On Monday, Osaka again returned to Arthur Ash Stadium. But this time, she was in court and facing Gauf, which was now two -time prominent champions and number 3 seeds of the tournament, in the fourth round, as the ability was seen by the crowd.
It should have been to watch a match between former US Open Champion and two biggest stars of the game, but there was very little drama in the match itself. Instead of Osaka, 27, The biggest, and perhaps the most impressive, won His return to 64 minutes in 64 minutes to proceed to his first major quarterfinals since 2021.
It meant everything.
“I am a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry, but honestly, I enjoyed it very much here.” “I was telling everyone, I was really in a stand two months after my daughter gave birth to see Coco. I really wanted a chance to come out and play. It is my favorite court in the world and it means to come back here for me.”
six years agoAlmost the day, Osaka and Goff played for the first time.
The Osaka reign was the champion and world number 1, and Goff was a 15 -year -old prodigy that thrilled the world with his adventurous run in the fourth round in the first Wimbledon. It was also billed as an one-way event on Ash between two emerging stars.
But Osaka dominated 6-3, 6–0 in the third round match, and it could be largely forgetful. But as the goff cried in court, Osaka consoled him and asked him to interview post-match-usually for the winner-with him. Osaka then praised Gauf and her parents in a beautiful moment of sportsmanship. Both players are internal connected, even their careers clearly went on different paths.
Osaka finally lost in the next round in New York, but she went to win the title again next year, in addition to her second Australian Open title in the beginning of 2021 season. She topped the tennis world and was the most prominent and recognizable person in women’s tennis clear successor to Serena Williams’ throne.
What happened next is well documented. He announced Ahead of his second round matchHe left Wimbledon. At the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open, she lost in the third round. After the early exit in New York, she told reporters that she was considering taking a break from the game.
“I think it seems to me recently, like, when I win, I am not happy,” Osaka explained. “I feel like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think it’s normal.”
Osaka returned to the 2022 season, but lost in the third round at the Australian Open, and then did not win another big match. He declared his pregnancy 2023 A few days before the start of the Australian Open and many people wondered if he would ever play again.
Meanwhile, through Osaka’s struggle and maternity leave, Goff continued to climb the ranking. She reached her first major final in 2022 French Open and 2023 won its first slam title at US OpenTwo days later, Osaka saw her from the crowd. In this summer, Goff won its second major title at the French Open.
Inspired by At a high level, she saw the rest of the Goff and the rest of the US Open players, and wanted to win for her daughter, Osaka had high expectations for her return in 2024.
But she did not see immediate results, which she was expecting. While it was the brightness of its old form-especially during a second round of struggle Ega swetec In the French Open of last year – she struggled against the best players, and in the most important moments. She failed to proceed in the second round in one major in 2024.
Disappointed since his year, He fired his coach Vim Fisht At the end of the season and Patrick was brought to Morrtoglu, which is known for its long -term partnership with Williams. They had some decent results-including the presence of the third round in the Australian Open and Wimbledon, as well as 125-level titles and a runner-up finish in Auckland, as well as a runner-up finish in the Ouckland-at the same time. But both of them participated in July,
Since then, Osaka began working with Tomasz Victorowski, who had coached sweatek in several major titles earlier. ,
Last month, at the Canadian Open-his first tournament simultaneously won the impressive victory one after the other and reached its first 1000-level final since 2022. In his second round match in Montreal Lidmila SamsanovaHe saved two match points and forced one judge. He has since called it a significant turn for his approach and self-confidence.
After defeating Gauf, Osaka said on Monday, “Since then I have started anything possible.” “All you have to do is try your best [and] There is a smile on your face. ,
Osaka lost in three sets Victoria mboco In the finals, but after giving birth, she reached a slam in New York for the first time. She was clearly feeling confident and provoked at her speed – and was happy about her partnership with Wicktorovsky.
“I am working with a new coach,” said Osaka at the beginning of the US Open. “He is really great. He is just an incredibly helpful. He is cut to follow, and he makes me feel that he is a encyclopedia of tennis, so it is good to be like someone in your corner.”
Osaka has always said that the US Open is her favorite tournament. Before he wins his first big title – against his childhood hero Williams in a controversial and dramatic final – he was a young child, watching the tournament on television and participating as a fan, dreaming a day. When she represents Japan, many years of her childhood were spent in New York and the mob often gives her hometown treatment.
The tour is a separate place, with ranking with new faces, and Osaka is a separate person who is in addition to entrepreneurial interests, with additional responsibility of being a parent, during his title runs in 2018 and 2020. But his goals on tennis court are the same.
And now, it seems, despite all the changes, he is in a position to regain them.
Throughout the tournament, Osaka has been like a resurrection and the player who once had so easily dominated the Hard Court in Queens. He has fallen to just one set – number 15 seeds Daria kasatkina In the third round – but otherwise in strong control. Against Gauf, who has been inside Challenging process to overhaul his service pace in real timeOsaka resolved her movement, strong service and from the beginning. He won 32 out of 38, he changed all his four brake points and according to the WTA, won 16 out of 24 rallies, which went to five or more shots.
When it was over, she remained mostly, with a wide smile on her face, because her team and family members in his box jumped up and down, enthusiastically exchanged the throat and high fives.
Gauf, who broke in the initial game, had five double defects in the outing, which included a single one to seal the set. The 21 -year -old also had 33 unexpected errors.
“It’s disappointing,” Goff said after the match. “To ensure that it was not the level I wanted to bring, but it’s a step in the right direction that I think, and I think emotionally how much this week was, I think I have just stepped up today, and I was probably a little empty. He forced me to earn every issue today.”
At other points of his career, Osaka was unable to hide his frustration in court and sometimes began to be uprooted under pressure. But on Monday, and in his entire run in New York, Osaka looked largely ineffective, showing tremendous courtesy and positivity. He admitted that his shift was deliberately in Demanor and Body Language, and indicates where he is mentally mentally.
“Main for me [thing] I want to take away from this tournament, just smiling and having fun, “said Osaka.” In this match, I just wanted to be grateful. Yes, I mean, he is one of the best players in the world. For me, honestly, I enjoy the most when I play against the best players. I love when they hit amazing shots or they hit the aces, because you know that they won the tournaments that they won. ,
On Wednesday, Osaka will take number 11 Seed to Muchova in the quarter -finals. She is traveling a long way because she saw Muchova playing in the semi -finals two years ago, but also where she always believed that she would be again. Osaka, who on Monday called Muchova “one of the most talented tennis players”, knows that it would be a challenge. He has played twice since Osaka’s return, dividing the series. Osaka won its last meeting in three sets at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Osaka is undefeated in the major quarterfinals during her career, but she was not putting much pressure on herself. After the US Open, it is expected to return to the top 20 for the first time since 2022, whether it is excited for this occasion, whether it is on Wednesday or beyond.
“I really feel relaxed,” Osaka told reporters. “I don’t feel stress at all. I think for me, I just wanted to do a better year than last year, and I had already done it in Montreal. For me, whatever happens that the rest of this tournament, the rest of the Asia, I am just trying to become a better tennis player and learn from every match that I play.”
