“I don’t need a wild card anymore”: Naomi Osaka celebrates career milestone at US Open

Naomi Osaka’s smile has been the story of her US Open run. After dismantling Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round, Osaka walked into the press room in a relaxed, playful mood, even pulling a slip of paper out of her pocket to announce that her performance level for the day was called “La Boo Boo”—a reminder that the four-time Grand Slam champion is once again having fun on court.

Osaka admitted that her journey back to this stage has been far from simple. Since her return to the tour after giving birth, she has been striving not only to regain her top-level form but also to rediscover the sense of joy that once defined her biggest victories. “In my first round I was too nervous to smile. My match against Kasatkina was not smiley at all,” she said, laughing at herself. “So going into this match, I just wanted to be grateful.”

Her gratitude wasn’t only for the win, but for the opportunity to compete against the world’s best again. Facing Gauff, the defending champion, Osaka embraced every booming serve and stunning winner with delight. “She’s one of the best players in the world,” Osaka explained. “For me, I have the most fun when I play against the best. I always see it as a challenge. And I like challenges.”

That mindset has been steadily evolving. She credits her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski—who also works with Iga Swiatek—with creating a supportive environment. Far from the stern figure she initially imagined, she described him warmly: “He seemed like such a tough guy to me. But when he smiles, he’s really like a teddy bear. He’s always very proud and encouraging. It creates a safe space for me to express myself and my tennis.”

Osaka’s new philosophy goes beyond tactics. For a player once known for her intensity and occasional on-court struggles, choosing joy has become her competitive edge. “The main thing I want to take away from this tournament is just smiling and having fun,” she repeated. It showed against Gauff, where she greeted her opponent’s best shots with applause-worthy grins instead of frustration.

That shift has also helped Osaka navigate what could have been a career crossroad. She admitted in recent years that she questioned her future in the sport when results dipped, but insists retirement never truly tempted her. “Honestly, not close at all. Hanging up my racket permanently would be very scary. I’ve been playing since I was three. It’s like breathing air to me.”

The turning point, she says, came in Montreal when she battled past Liudmila Samsonova in a gruelling match. “I didn’t give up until the very last point. From that moment on, I just try to be the biggest fighter that I can be.” That mindset has carried her through to the second week in New York—a place she admits feels extra special. “I was a kid watching on TV, wishing to play on one of the cool outdoor courts. To now be on Ashe, no matter what point of my career I’m in, it’s always an honour.”

There is also a practical layer to Osaka’s happiness. With her recent results, she no longer needs wild cards to enter major tournaments and expects to be seeded in events like Indian Wells and Miami. “That’s what I’m happy about,” she said, a wry smile crossing her face. For someone who has battled the challenges of coming back after maternity leave, that validation matters.

Looking ahead, Osaka faces Karolína Muchová, one of the most talented players on tour. “It’s going to be a really tough challenge,” she acknowledged. Yet even when asked about the weight of expectations in the second week of a Slam, Osaka’s response stayed grounded: “I feel really relaxed. I already had a better year than last year in Montreal. Whatever happens now, I just want to learn and be a better tennis player.”

Asked what has changed most in her game, Osaka spoke about patience and balance. “Physically, in my head I know I can rally a lot so I don’t overplay. I’m okay with just waiting. I’m not a defensive player, but it’s more like the silent confidence of understanding that I don’t need to hit a winner at all times.”

That “silent confidence” could prove vital as she chases another deep Slam run. Whether she goes on to lift the trophy or not, Osaka’s rediscovery of joy and gratitude has already marked this US Open as a personal victory. “These are the moments I play tennis for,” she concluded, smiling once more.