"Days before the start of the 2025 season, Naomi Osaka made an ominous remark about her future in tennis. "I don't think I'm the type of player that would hang around," Osaka said, if her ranking didn't improve. "I'd rather spend time with my daughter if I'm not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.""
"On hard courts, she can look untouchable for two weeks, as she did en route to her titles at the U.S. Open (2018, 2020) and Australian Open (2019, 2021). We've seen brief glimpses of that same top-tier Osaka-most memorably on clay, at the French Open last year, when she took eventual champion Swiatek all the way to match point, and more recently, when she reached the final in Toronto in August, even though she tanked her way through its waning minutes."
Naomi Osaka considered stepping away from tennis if her ranking did not improve, saying she would rather spend time with her daughter. She was ranked No. 57 after returning from a long maternity hiatus while peers like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka rose. Eight months later, Osaka reached the U.S. Open quarterfinal. Historically, every time she has reached a major quarterfinal she has won the title on hard courts. Recent results and glimpses on clay and in Toronto suggest a return to top form. Osaka's game relies on limited movement from the center hashmark and powerful, heavy groundstrokes that control rallies.
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