Archive September 3, 2025

Naomi Osaka addressed the media at Wimbledon with little to say. Apathy had replaced anger.

After a demoralizing third-round exit, the four-time major champion thought she had “nothing positive to say.”

Less than two months later, Osaka’s face is now smiling again.

As the 27-year-old former world number one tries to avoid Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in Wednesday’s US Open quarter-finals, the 27-year-old appears to have regained her energy.

Former British no. 1 Annabel Croft, who analysed Osaka’s impressive fourth-round victory over third-seeded Coco Gauff for BBC Radio 5 Live, said, “Some of her tennis has been reminiscent of when she won her two titles here.”

“Here, the ball-striking is all about taking control of the baseline, opening the court, building up the point, and hitting a winner,” she said.

She makes the game seem so simple and effortless when she is confident.

Since the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023, Japan’s Osaka has been playing for only 14 months, and her recovery from a game she once dominated has been gradual.

She is preparing for her first Grand Slam quarter-final since the 2021 Australian Open after lacking optimism at Wimbledon and questioning her course.

The most important decision for her was to switch her coach.

She parted ways with Polish coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, who had worked with 23-time major champion Serena Williams.

Wiktorowski is best known for guiding fellow compatriot Iga Swiatek to four Grand Slam victories during a three-year spell that ended in October.

Osaka responded to Wiktorowski’s approach by saying, “He seemed like such a tough guy to me, but when he smiles, he actually looks like a teddy bear.”

He says, “He’s not harsh at all when we talk after matches.” He’s always encouraging and proud.

I think it kind of gives me a safe place to express my tennis.

Instantaneous impact.

Osaka’s renowned ball-striking returned to her game, and her rediscovery of confidence helped her reach the final of her first tournament against Wiktorowski, which was more at ease.

I persevered until the very end, against Samsonova. From that point on, I believed I was going to be the strongest fighter I could be, Osaka said.

When I played Svitolina, I felt really good. I believe the match demonstrated how much I can unite with everyone.

Victoria Mboko, a Canadian teenager, defeated Osaka in the final, which gave her a bad rap, but she also gained momentum for the US Open.

Osaka said, “I want to take away from this tournament just smiling and having fun.”

“I’m aware that in my first round, I was too apprehensive, and in my second-round game, I was just really not smiley at all.”

“I just wanted to be grateful before the Gauff] game. When I play against the best players, I have the most fun.

Osaka has benefited from a largely more restrained approach, wisely utilizing her baseline power to make mistakes in front of her foes.

According to the statistics, her all-around ability ranks among the tournament leaders, with 79% of her service games, 56% of her return games, and 19% of her shots ending in winners.

“Osaka is a very rhythmic player; not much creativity, but beautiful timing, and effortless power,” Croft said.

Naomi Osaka had little to discuss as she faced the media at Wimbledon. Anger had given way to apathy.

The four-time major champion felt she had “nothing positive to say” after a discouraging third-round exit.

Now, less than two months later, the smile has returned to Osaka’s face.

The 27-year-old former world number one seems to have rediscovered her mojo as she prepares to face Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the US Open quarter-finals on Wednesday.

“Some of her tennis has been reminiscent of when she won her two titles here,” said former British number one Annabel Croft, who analysed Osaka’s impressive fourth-round win over third seed Coco Gauff for BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Her game is all about amazingly clean ball-striking, taking control of the baseline, opening up the court, building up the point and hitting a winner.

“When she is confident, she is someone who makes the game look so easy and effortless.”

Japan’s Osaka did not play for 14 months around the birth of daughter Shai in July 2023 and her road back to the top of the game she once dominated has been gradual.

After lacking positivity at Wimbledon and questioning her direction, she is preparing for her first Grand Slam quarter-final since the 2021 Australian Open.

Deciding to switch her coach has been the most notable factor.

Shortly after Wimbledon she parted ways with Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman who worked with 23-time major champion Serena Williams, and hired Polish coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Wiktorowski is best known for guiding compatriot Iga Swiatek to four Grand Slam titles in a three-year stint, which ended in October.

On Wiktorowski’s approach, Osaka said: “He seemed like such a tough guy to me but actually, when he smiles, he really is like a teddy bear.

“When we talk after matches, he’s not harsh at all. He’s like always very proud and encouraging.

“I feel like it kind of creates a safe space for me to be able to express myself and my tennis.”

The impact was instant.

Looking more at ease, Osaka’s renowned ball-striking returned, and rediscovering her confidence led to the Montreal final in her first tournament with Wiktorowski.

“Against Samsonova, I didn’t give up until the very last point. I think from that moment on I just tried to be the biggest fighter that I can be,” Osaka said.

“I felt really good when I played Svitolina. I think the match made things clear that I can rally a lot with everybody.”

While Osaka lost to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in the final, then drew criticism for seemingly being ungracious in defeat, she has carried the momentum into the US Open.

“What I want to take away from this tournament is just smiling and having fun,” said Osaka.

“I know in my first round I was too nervous to smile and in my second-round match I was just really not smiley at all.

“Going into the [Gauff] match, I just wanted to be grateful. I have the most fun when I play against the best players.”

Osaka has benefitted from a largely more restrained approach, wisely picking her moments to use her baseline power effectively, while trying to draw mistakes from her opponents.

The statistics show how her all-round game – claiming 79% of her service games, 56% of return games and 19% of her shots resulting in winners – is among the tournament leaders.

“Osaka is a very rhythmical player – not much creativity, but beautiful timing and effortless power,” said Croft.

If any changes are made to the County Championship, they might not be implemented until 2027.

The 18 top-class counties have been conducting internal structural analysis this year with the intention of implementing changes in 2026.

Although a T20 Blast reduction was agreed in August, there hasn’t been much consensus on the Championship’s future.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) supported a number of proposals to reduce the current 14 matches to a 12-game schedule, but several counties opposed them.

A 12-game schedule is therefore off the table.

The county chairs on Tuesday discussed the options of 14 matches and 13 matches.

There has also been discussion about postponing any potential changes until 2027.

That is due to the desire to make the best possible decision, as well as the approaching end of the current season. Next week will see the start of the final three matches.

The 18 counties would be divided into a 12-team top division, with six in the bottom division, for a 13-game season.

Each of the 12 Division One teams would play the other teams twice in their respective groups, divided into two groups. The top and bottom halves of the groups would then be divided, allowing each team to play the three counties in the opposing halves. The county with the most points would be the champion.

The players’ preference for one-game reduction draws attention from supporters of the change. A 12-team top flight gives more counties the chance to win the Championship, while a six-team second tier gives more counties the chance to advance when they frequently find themselves languishing.

However, there is also the impression that the proposals are too complicated and that a 12-team top tier does not offer enough “best v best” coverage.

Twelve out of the 18 counties would have to vote in favor of any structural change.

Given the number of counties that have publicly endorsed keeping a 14-game season, that seems increasingly unlikely.

That would result in a system that is still in place: 10 first division teams, 8 second division teams, and 14th-place teams overall.

A vote may be scheduled in the coming days and county chairs will continue to discuss issues.

Later on Wednesday, the PCA will give its members an update on the situation. The players’ body stated in July that reducing the number of matches to 12 was the “only reasonable option.”

The PCA is in favor of the reduction to 13 matches now that that is not being taken into account.