A New Perspective on Defeat
A few years ago, a loss on a Grand Slam stage could have led Naomi Osaka into a spiral of self-doubt and isolation. However, after years of dealing with mental health challenges, extended breaks from tennis, and the joys of motherhood, the former world number one left Paris with a positive outlook rather than pain.
Osaka’s French Open journey came to an end on Monday when she lost 7-5 6-3 in the fourth round to top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Despite the defeat, the 28-year-old described herself as “enlightened” and at peace with the emotional ups and downs that once defined her career.
“I would be very, very disappointed in myself after matches like these,” Osaka said during her press conference. “If I lost this match when I was younger, I’d shut myself in my room or whatever. But now I feel like obviously I love tennis, and I’m trying my best to do everything to be the best player I can.”
As a four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka has spoken openly about her struggles with depression and anxiety. She returned to competition in 2024 following the birth of her daughter, and her priorities have shifted beyond just results and rankings.
“It’s kind of like a clock in/clock out type of thing,” she explained. “I’m excited to go home and see my daughter. Honestly, that’s kind of the happiest moments of life for me.”
Shifting Priorities
Osaka arrived in Paris with modest expectations on clay, a surface that has often been challenging for her. However, she managed to achieve her best run at Roland Garros by reaching the fourth round for the first time. Although Sabalenka’s powerful play proved too much under the lights of Court Philippe Chatrier, Osaka emphasized that she no longer views defeats as defining moments.
“I kind of realised that it doesn’t matter at all,” she said. “The only thing I can keep doing is keep trying my best.”
Since her 2021 withdrawal from the French Open, where she revealed she had experienced “long bouts of depression” and criticized the tournament’s media obligations, Osaka’s relationship with tennis has evolved significantly. Her openness sparked a broader conversation about athlete mental health and media pressure.
On Monday night, she spoke candidly about the emotional shift that motherhood has brought into her life.
“Honestly, like, hitting a ball doesn’t really matter on earth, kind of,” she said with a smile.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, Osaka expressed satisfaction with her physical condition after a demanding clay court campaign. She hopes the progress she made on clay will carry over into the grass court season. However, she admitted she was reluctant to leave Paris just as she began to feel comfortable on the surface.
“I have to take the positives from it,” she said. “I played three really good matches.”
Osaka also welcomed the decision to schedule her match against Sabalenka in the night session, which marked the first time in three years that a women’s contest took place in the prime time slot. She praised the organizers for giving women a place in the tournament’s showcase slot.
“I am honoured that the tournament chose us to play in this slot,” she said. “I hope that going forward they will continue to do so.”
