Naomi Osaka’s US Open campaign came to an end in the fourth round, but the former world No. 1 walked away from Flushing Meadows with a sense of perspective rather than disappointment.The two-time US Open champion was beaten by Elena Rybakina in a one-sided contest on Monday, ending a run that had also seen Osaka once again capture attention away from the court with a series of eye-catching fashion statements.Yet when she addressed the media after the defeat, Osaka’s focus was less on the loss and more on the bigger picture.Asked whether she was disappointed that her exit meant fans would not get to see some of the other fashion looks she may have planned for later rounds, Osaka admitted there was always something in the works.“I think there’s always something [laughs]. That’s a way that I can have fun and sort of just excite myself also. But I’m honestly not disappointed now. It’s a very strange feeling. And last year I wasn’t that disappointed either. Amanda just played really insane. Maybe I’m just getting older, but I don’t feel sad.”
‘I’m happy I’m taking losses differently’
The four-time Grand Slam champion was then asked whether she was surprised by her reaction to the defeat, given that losses had often affected her more deeply earlier in her career.Osaka said she has learned to process setbacks differently and now looks for lessons rather than dwelling on disappointment.“I think I’m happy I’m taking losses differently. I’m trying to learn from them a lot more. Today if I was to say I’m sad, I was sad that I couldn’t push off on my foot. I’m sad I couldn’t do what I set out to do.”The 28-year-old revealed she had been troubled by pain in her leg during the match against Rybakina, which affected her movement on court.Still, she stressed that tennis results no longer define her outlook on life.“But for me if I think about my life, my daughter is healthy. Everyone in my family is great. I had an opportunity to play this Slam. I got as far as I could. It’s only up from here I guess.”
Osaka’s fashion showcase lights up New York
Although her tournament ended in the fourth round, Osaka remained one of the standout personalities of the event thanks to a string of fashion-forward appearances inspired by basketball culture.With sponsor Nike celebrating the New York Knicks’ championship triumph, Osaka unveiled a different look throughout the tournament, working alongside celebrity stylist Law Roach.For her final appearance, she arrived on court wearing a fur-trimmed multicoloured cloak designed by Brooklyn-based label KidSuper.“I felt really swaggy when I put it on,” Osaka said after the match. “I feel feel like it embodied New York a lot.”The outfit also featured a headband inspired by the NBA logo, replacing the traditional basketball player silhouette with a tennis player holding a racket.Earlier in the tournament, Osaka paid tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson with a dramatic first-round ensemble designed by Who Decides War, featuring a long white tulle skirt, a hooded robe and cornrows beneath a headband reminiscent of Iverson’s iconic style.Her second-round look came from Thom Browne and included a flowing white jacket embroidered with crossed tennis rackets, while the mesh fabric of her skirt was designed to resemble a basketball net.For the third round, she wore an oversized Monse outfit that blended a suit jacket and hoodie with flowing fleece trousers, combining businesswear and sportswear aesthetics.
‘If I win another Grand Slam, it’s not going to change my life’
Osaka’s comments after the loss reflected a broader shift in how she now views her career and achievements.While still motivated to compete at the highest level, the former world No. 1 suggested that winning another major title would not fundamentally alter her life or sense of fulfilment.Reflecting on everything she has already achieved in the sport, Osaka indicated she no longer measures happiness solely through victories and trophies.“Maybe I’m just getting older, but I don’t feel sad,” Osaka said. “I think, also, if I reflect on my career and the things that I’ve been able to do, there’s nothing that I regret or there’s nothing that I’m sad about … If I win another Grand Slam, it’s not going to change my life.”For Osaka, the US Open may have ended earlier than she hoped, but her reaction to defeat suggested a player increasingly at peace with both her career and her life beyond tennis.
