Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has opened up about the challenges she faced with her changing postpartum figure and the pressure to "snap back" after giving birth to her first daughter.Osaka returned to the tennis tour this year after a break to welcome her daughter, Shai. While she kept expectations in check about her on-court performance, she faced different pressures off the courts.In a lengthy social media post, Osaka shared that she felt "ashamed" of her body at times, especially when wearing form-fitting tennis clothes. She admitted to fighting the "overwhelming urge to 'snap back'" and compared herself to other moms who seemed to lose weight quickly after giving birth."Seeing other moms seemingly shrink immediately after having their baby was an expectation I began to put on myself," Osaka wrote. "That self-comparison always hurt because I felt as an athlete I should be losing weight quicker than most."Osaka shared a series of photos showing the evolution of her postpartum figure, expressing gratitude for her body's journey. She emphasized that all bodies are different and that she appreciates hers for how it is."My body has done so much for me and adapted so well to the tasks that I'm asking from it, I'm extremely grateful and thankful," Osaka said.Osaka's post resonated with fellow moms and athletes, who praised her honesty and vulnerability. WTA world No. 68 Taylor Townsend commented, "Our bodies are amazing! YOU ARE AMAZING!" while Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete, said, "I definitely can relate to your journey."Despite the challenges, Osaka finished the year with a 22-17 record, reaching two quarterfinals. She showed flashes of her best form and even held match point against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.Currently ranked No. 59, Osaka is aiming for a strong start to the 2025 season after a back injury and ruptured abdominal forced her to withdraw from her remaining WTA events.

Naomi Osaka's 2023 season has come to an abrupt end due to a series of injuries, including a ruptured abdominal muscle and a bulging disc in her back. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion announced her withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup finals, which were scheduled to be her final tournament of the year.Osaka's injury woes began at the China Open in Beijing, where she retired from her last-16 match against Coco Gauff. Subsequent MRI scans revealed the extent of her injuries, forcing her to withdraw from the Japan Open and the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.The Billie Jean King Cup finals, scheduled for November 13-20 in Malaga, Spain, would have marked Osaka's return to the competition since 2020. She played a pivotal role in Japan's victory over Kazakhstan in April, securing their qualification for the finals.Osaka's withdrawal is a significant blow to the Billie Jean King Cup, as she is one of the most recognizable and successful players in the world. Her absence will undoubtedly weaken Japan's chances of success in the tournament.Osaka's struggles for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter have been well-documented. Despite reaching two quarter-finals, she has failed to recapture the form that saw her dominate the sport in recent years.The injuries sustained by Osaka are a reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis. The sport requires immense athleticism and resilience, and even the most elite players are susceptible to setbacks.Osaka's decision to prioritize her health and recovery is a wise one. By taking the necessary time to heal, she can ensure her long-term fitness and return to the court stronger than ever.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has withdrawn from next week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a lingering back injury. The former world number one has been sidelined since retiring from her last-16 match at the China Open against eventual champion Coco Gauff earlier this month.Osaka's withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open marks the latest setback in her injury-plagued season. She has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Her best results since becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.The 27-year-old was set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card, but organizers confirmed her absence due to a lower back injury. Osaka's appearance at the China Open was her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked number seven in the world, is now the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open. Russia's Daria Kasatkina and Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.Osaka's withdrawal is a blow to the tournament organizers, who were hoping to attract a strong field for the first edition of the Pan Pacific Open since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite her recent struggles, Osaka remains one of the most popular and marketable players in tennis. She has won four Grand Slam titles, including the US Open twice, and has been ranked number one in the world. Her off-court ventures, including her own clothing line and skincare brand, have also made her a global icon.

Coco Gauff's resilience shone through at the 2024 China Open as she overcame an ailing Naomi Osaka in a hard-fought second-round encounter. The match took a dramatic turn when Osaka, who had taken the first set, was forced to retire due to illness with the score tied at 3-6, 6-4.Gauff, who recently parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert, has been working with Matt Daly and Jean-Christophe Faurel. Despite initial struggles with her forehand and serve, she displayed improved form in Beijing, defeating Clara Burel and Katie Boulter to set up the clash with Osaka.Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, returned to action after a year-long maternity leave with renewed determination. However, her comeback has been marked by inconsistent performances, including a second-round exit at the US Open. She made a coaching change, bringing in Patrick Mouratoglou, but the partnership has yet to yield significant results.In the match against Gauff, Osaka started strongly, taking the first set with relative ease. However, she began to show signs of illness during the second set, taking a medical timeout. Despite her discomfort, she managed to break Gauff's serve and take a 3-1 lead.Gauff fought back, breaking Osaka's serve in the second game of the second set. However, she failed to capitalize on several break point opportunities, allowing Osaka to level the set at 2-2. Osaka then broke Gauff's serve again, putting herself in a commanding position.Undeterred, Gauff raised her level of play, winning four consecutive games to force a decider. However, Osaka's physical condition deteriorated, and she was unable to continue. Gauff expressed sympathy for her opponent, saying, "I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. Nobody wants to win a match like this, especially at one set all."Gauff will now face Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinals. Starodubtseva has enjoyed a breakthrough week in Beijing, defeating No. 10 seed Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, two of the most promising stars in women's tennis, will face off for the first time since 2022 at the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday. The highly anticipated clash marks a significant milestone in their careers, as both players have undergone major transformations since their last encounter.Gauff, now a Grand Slam champion herself, has established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her victory at the 2023 French Open propelled her into the elite ranks of tennis, and she has continued to impress with her consistent performances throughout the season. Osaka, on the other hand, has returned to the WTA Tour after a 15-month hiatus due to mental health concerns. The four-time major winner is eager to regain her former dominance and prove that she is still a formidable opponent.This match-up is particularly intriguing given the contrasting trajectories of the two players. Gauff has been on a steady upward trajectory, while Osaka has faced challenges in recent years. However, Osaka's recent performances in Beijing suggest that she is regaining her form. She has won three matches this week, tying her best performance at a single tournament in 2024.The China Open has been a happy hunting ground for Osaka in the past. She won the WTA 1000 event in 2019 and will be looking to replicate that success this year. A victory over Gauff would not only boost her confidence but also push her back into the Top 50 of the WTA rankings.Gauff, for her part, will be determined to prove that she is not just a one-hit wonder. She reached the semifinals of the China Open last year and will be aiming to go even further this time around. However, she will need to be at her best to overcome Osaka, who has a 2-2 head-to-head record against her.Both players have made significant changes to their teams since their last meeting. Osaka has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette and is now working with Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams. Gauff has added Matt Daly to her coaching staff, who will work alongside Jean-Christophe Faurel.The clash between Gauff and Osaka is not just a battle between two talented players but also a clash of styles. Gauff is known for her aggressive baseline play, while Osaka is a more versatile player who can adapt to different surfaces and opponents. It promises to be a fascinating encounter that could have a significant impact on the remainder of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable hard-court dominance continues unabated as she extended her winning streak to 14 matches with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Ashlyn Krueger at the China Open. The Belarusian powerhouse, who has already claimed the Australian Open, Cincinnati Open, and U.S. Open titles this year, displayed her unwavering form in Beijing.Sabalenka's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for Krueger, as she converted five of her seven breakpoint opportunities. The second-ranked player will now face Madison Keys, aiming to match her career-best 15 consecutive victories achieved in 2020-21."I'm not playing my best tennis right now," Sabalenka admitted. "But I'm controlling my emotions and holding myself together, which helps me stay in matches and keep fighting."Keys, meanwhile, secured a 6-3, 6-3 win over Beatrice Haddad Maia of Brazil. Haddad Maia, fresh from her Korea Open triumph, struggled to match Keys' baseline power.Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her resurgence under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Katie Volynets. Osaka will now face sixth-ranked Coco Gauff in the round of 16, their first meeting in over two years."It's going to be a great test for me," Osaka said. "She's played well this year. I'm excited to play the match."Osaka, who returned from maternity leave earlier this season, has shown signs of improvement under Mouratoglou's guidance. Her run in Beijing marks the first time she has recorded three consecutive wins since May.Fifth-ranked Jasmine Paolini suffered a disappointing 6-4, 6-0 defeat to No. 45-ranked Magda Linette of Poland.

Naomi Osaka's return to the China Open in Beijing after a five-year absence has sparked significant attention, not only for her on-court performance but also for the rumored addition of Patrick Mouratoglou to her coaching team.Mouratoglou, a renowned coach who previously worked with Serena Williams, has been spotted alongside Osaka in Beijing, fueling speculation that he has taken over the coaching reins from Wim Fissette. Osaka confirmed her split with Fissette last week but has remained tight-lipped about Mouratoglou's involvement.Osaka's arrival in Beijing marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2019, when she emerged victorious. The tournament was subsequently canceled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning last year while Osaka was on maternity leave.Currently ranked 76th in the world, Osaka has benefited from the withdrawals of Caroline Garcia, Marie Bouzkova, and Caroline Wozniacki, which granted her direct entry into the tournament.Defending champion Iga Swiatek will not participate in this year's event due to personal reasons, leaving the door open for Osaka to make a deep run.Osaka's partnership with Mouratoglou, if confirmed, would be a significant development in her career. Mouratoglou's expertise and experience could prove invaluable as Osaka aims to regain her former dominance on the WTA Tour.

Naomi Osaka and coach Wim Fissette have parted ways for the second time, the former world No. 1 announced on social media. The split comes after a four-year partnership that yielded two Grand Slam titles for Osaka.Osaka hired Fissette ahead of the 2020 season, and they won the US Open that year and the Australian Open in 2021. However, they split in the summer of 2022, with Osaka citing a need for a change.They reunited last year as Osaka returned to tennis after the birth of her daughter. However, Osaka's results have been disappointing since her comeback, with the Japanese star failing to reach the second round of any Grand Slam tournament this year.Osaka's announcement came amid reports that she has been training with Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams. Mouratoglou has a reputation for working with top players, and his addition to Osaka's team could signal a renewed push for Grand Slam glory.Osaka's split with Fissette is the latest in a series of coaching changes for the Japanese star. She has previously been coached by her father, Leonard Francis, and Sascha Baijin, with whom she won two Grand Slam titles.It remains to be seen who will replace Fissette as Osaka's coach. However, the Japanese star will be hoping that a new partnership can help her rediscover her best form and challenge for more Grand Slam titles.

Naomi Osaka's return to the US Open ended in the second round, but the two-time champion expressed gratitude despite the straight-sets loss to Karolina Muchova. Osaka, who won the title in 2018 and 2020, missed last year's edition due to the birth of her daughter.Osaka's comeback has been marked by inconsistent results, with her first-round win over Jelena Ostapenko being her first top-10 victory in four years. She acknowledged that she has been struggling with her form since before her maternity break."I feel like I'm coming back from pregnancy, but also it wasn't like in 2022 I was the best version of myself," Osaka said. "So in some way I had to catch up to that, and then also I'm trying to pass it at the same time."Despite the loss, Osaka expressed appreciation for the support she received from the crowd. "It was really fun," she said. "I felt very grateful that there were so many people cheering. I missed it a lot."Muchova, who is also on the comeback trail after missing nine months due to wrist surgery, was satisfied with her victory. "It's a long journey," she said. "I'm for sure in a different position than I was last year. I don't even want to compare myself to last year -- it was kind of a bumpy road."Muchova praised the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, saying, "The court and the atmosphere is amazing. They were mostly cheering for Naomi, but that's natural. But I just think so many people coming out and the show and everything about that -- I would say it's why I play tennis and what I like about it, the atmosphere and the energy."