Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, is set to make a rare appearance in a WTA qualifying match this weekend at the Cincinnati Open. The former world No. 1, who is currently ranked No. 95, will face Anna Blinkova on Sunday in an attempt to secure a spot in the main draw of the WTA 1000 event.Osaka's return to qualifying marks a significant milestone in her comeback season after her 2023 maternity leave. The 26-year-old has been steadily climbing the rankings since her return in January, when she was ranked No. 833.The main-draw cut-off for direct entry into the tournament was world No. 49 Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria. However, Osaka's determination to regain her former glory is evident in her willingness to play through qualifying.Should Osaka defeat Blinkova, she will face either her compatriot Moyuka Uchijima or 20-year-old American Ashlyn Krueger for a place in the main draw. Osaka last played qualifying in Doha in 2018, seven months before winning her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.Osaka's journey back to the top of the game has been marked by both challenges and resilience. Despite suffering some tough losses, she remains committed to her goal. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get back to where I feel like I deserve to be," she said.The Cincinnati Open features a star-studded field, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Defending champion Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula are also among the top seeds.Osaka's performance in Cincinnati will be closely watched as she continues her quest to regain her status as one of the world's best tennis players.

Naomi Osaka's preparations for the US Open hit a snag when United Airlines misplaced her luggage, threatening her participation in the Cincinnati Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion took to social media to express her concern, tagging the airline and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.United Airlines promptly responded, promising assistance. Within three hours, the airline confirmed that Osaka's bags had been located. The tournament's transportation team then retrieved the luggage, and Osaka announced its recovery on Saturday morning.Osaka's luggage contained essential gear for her US Open preparations. She is scheduled to play in the main draw of the WTA 1000 tournament in Mason, Ohio, which begins Tuesday. Osaka reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati in 2019 and won the event in 2020, albeit at a different venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The Cincinnati Open is a crucial tournament for Osaka as she aims to regain her form ahead of the US Open. She suffered a second-round loss to Elise Mertens in Toronto and will be eager to bounce back in Cincinnati.Osaka's luggage mishap highlights the importance of efficient baggage handling for athletes traveling to tournaments. Lost or delayed luggage can disrupt training schedules and affect performance. United Airlines' prompt response and the tournament's assistance ensured that Osaka's preparations were not derailed.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has opened up about her struggles with self-worth and the emotional toll of her 2018 US Open victory. In an interview on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Osaka revealed that she was deeply affected by the negative fan reaction to her win, which was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Serena Williams' code violations."I went on social media the night after I won," Osaka said. "I was reading a lot of people saying that I didn't deserve to win. I remember I started crying a lot."Osaka's victory was marred by multiple code violations against Williams, which led to a hostile atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd booed Osaka during the trophy ceremony, causing her to hide her face behind her visor."Honestly, I never really processed it well," Osaka said. "I just ignored it and kept moving on with my life."Osaka believes that her inability to process the emotional turmoil of her US Open victory contributed to her breakdown at the 2021 Roland Garros, where she withdrew from the tournament after refusing to participate in post-match press conferences."I didn't see the worth I had as a human outside of tennis," Osaka said. "I would lose a match and feel like my life is meaningless, like the only value I had was winning."Osaka's time away from tennis has helped her to develop a healthier perspective on her career and her life outside of the sport. She is now a mother to daughter Shai and believes that her break from tennis was crucial for her mental health."I needed to learn how to live in the real world," Osaka said. "The athlete's life span is so short, it's not like I'm going to be playing tennis forever."Osaka's journey for self-worth is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a story of resilience, growth, and the realization that there is more to life than winning and losing.

Naomi Osaka's Olympic journey in Paris ended prematurely with a disappointing first-round loss to Angelique Kerber. The former world No. 1, who has struggled to regain her dominant form since taking a mental health break in 2021, expressed a sense of disappointment but remained hopeful for the future.Osaka's defeat marked a stark contrast to her performance at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, where she was expected to shine as one of the star attractions. However, the pressure of playing in front of her home crowd proved overwhelming, and she exited in the third round.In Paris, Osaka faced a formidable opponent in Kerber, a silver medalist in Rio 2016. The German veteran, who is set to retire after these Games, played with determination and precision, forcing Osaka into uncharacteristic errors.Osaka's serve, usually a potent weapon, faltered against Kerber's relentless defense. She finished with 30 unforced errors, while Kerber committed only 11. The Japanese star also struggled to break Kerber's serve, managing to do so just once while losing four of her own service games.Despite the setback, Osaka remained optimistic about her future prospects. She acknowledged the need to "learn how to win again" and expressed a willingness to face top-level competition to regain her winning ways.Osaka's journey has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. She rose to the pinnacle of tennis, winning four Grand Slams and becoming the highest-paid female athlete. However, she has also faced mental health struggles and taken time off to focus on her well-being.Her return to the tour has been gradual, but she has shown glimpses of her former brilliance. At the French Open earlier this year, she pushed eventual champion Iga Swiatek to three sets and held a match point.While clay may not be her preferred surface, Osaka remains determined to improve her game and regain her status as one of the world's best players. Her resilience and determination suggest that she has the potential to overcome her current challenges and return to the top of the sport.

Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis star, has emerged as a fashion icon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her stylish presence has been captivating the fashion world and fellow Olympians alike.At the star-studded "Prelude to the Olympic Games" event hosted by LVMH and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Osaka showcased her impeccable style. She donned a flowy light blue button-down top, paired with an asymmetrical black skirt and black pumps. The highlight of her ensemble was a matching Louis Vuitton GO-14 Mini Malletage bag, reflecting her role as a global brand ambassador for the maison.Osaka's fashion statement extended beyond the event. On social media, she shared a mini-vlog from the Olympic Village, unboxing her Team Japan bag. The video revealed a range of red and white gear provided by ASICS, including sportswear, shoes, and bags. However, Osaka also highlighted unique Japanese care items such as miso soup, bandaids, and a bracelet.Osaka's Olympic journey will begin on Saturday, July 27, at the Roland Garros tennis venue. She faces a challenging path, with a first-round match against the retiring Angelique Kerber and a potential quarterfinal clash with No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula.Despite the competitive nature of the tournament, Osaka remains focused on her Olympic aspirations. She has expressed her love for the event and the camaraderie among athletes. Her stylish presence and determination to succeed make her a formidable force both on and off the court.

Naomi Osaka's Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as she was comprehensively defeated by American qualifier Emma Navarro in the second round. The Japanese superstar, who was playing her first Wimbledon since 2019, was outplayed by the 17th-ranked Navarro, losing 6-4, 6-1 in just under an hour.The match started evenly, with both players holding serve until 3-3 in the first set. However, Navarro then broke Osaka's serve to love and went on to take the first set. The second set was even more one-sided, as Navarro broke Osaka twice to race into a 4-0 lead. Osaka managed to hold serve in the fifth game, but Navarro broke again in the sixth game to seal the match.Osaka's defeat was a major upset, as she is a four-time Grand Slam champion and was seeded 11th at Wimbledon. However, she has struggled for form since returning to the tour in January after giving birth to her daughter Shai last year. Her win over Diane Parry in the first round was her first at Wimbledon since 2018.Navarro, on the other hand, is enjoying a breakout season. The 20-year-old American reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year and has now reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time. She will face Heather Watson of Great Britain in the next round.Osaka's defeat is a reminder that she is still finding her feet after her return from maternity leave. However, she has shown glimpses of her old form in recent weeks and will be hoping to build on her performance at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournaments.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, will face Emma Navarro, a rising star, in a captivating first-round clash at Wimbledon. Osaka, known for her powerful groundstrokes, will be tested by Navarro's versatility and court coverage. The match will hinge on Osaka's ability to control the pace and Navarro's capacity to disrupt her rhythm.In the marquee second-round encounter, Italian rivals Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini will battle for a place in the third round. Sinner, the current world No. 1, has dominated their previous meeting, but Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, will seek redemption on his favored surface. The key to the match will be the return of serve, with both players possessing formidable serves.Another intriguing first-round matchup features veterans Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka. Monfils, known for his acrobatic play, will face Wawrinka, a one-handed backhand specialist. Despite their age and injuries, both players remain capable of producing spectacular performances. The match promises to be a battle of experience and resilience.

Naomi Osaka's triumphant return to Wimbledon after a four-year hiatus was marked not only by her hard-fought victory but also by her captivating fashion statement. The Japanese tennis star, who has become renowned for her bold and innovative on-court attire, once again turned heads with her custom Nike kit.Osaka's outfit, described as "an elaborate ensemble fit for the Met Gala," featured a cropped racerback tank top adorned with a flowing gauze-like ruffle that cascaded from her right shoulder. The skirt, crafted from the same ethereal material, billowed gracefully with every movement. The all-white colorway was accented by subtle pops of forest green, complementing her Nike x NO shoes and Tag Heuer Aquaracer watch.Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Osaka's outfit held personal significance. The gauze-like ruffle symbolized the delicate and transformative journey she has undergone since becoming a mother. "It's really cool to be here now," she reflected after the match. "I think my mindset last year was just trying to survive..."The outfit sparked a lively debate on social media, with fans expressing both admiration and skepticism. Some hailed it as a masterpiece of fashion innovation, while others questioned its practicality on the court. However, Osaka remained unfazed by the mixed reactions."I'm just trying to have fun with it," she said. "I think it's important to be yourself and not be afraid to express yourself."Osaka's victory and her eye-catching outfit have set the stage for an intriguing Wimbledon campaign. The four-time Grand Slam winner will face No. 19 seed Emma Navarro in the second round, aiming to reach the third round at the All England Club for the first time since 2018.

Coco Gauff, the rising American tennis star, will face fellow American Caroline Dolehide in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday. Gauff, now seeded No. 2, is looking to make a deep run in the tournament after reaching the semifinals or better in the last three majors. Dolehide, ranked 51st, has never won a main-draw match at Wimbledon but has a strong game suited for grass.Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, will also be in action on Monday, taking on Frenchwoman Diane Parry. Osaka, who has never made grass a priority, has been working with her coach to improve her game on the surface. Parry, ranked 53rd, has good grass instincts and could pose a challenge for Osaka.On the men's side, Italian Matteo Berrettini will face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in a first-round clash. Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, will be looking to make a strong start to his campaign. Fucsovics, ranked 69th, has a 1-0 record against Berrettini and could provide a stern test.