Naomi Osaka drops out of top 5 in latest WTA Rankings

After an amazing three-year run that saw her win four Grand Slam titles, Naomi Osaka has dropped out of the top 5 on the WTA Rankings, falling from fifth to eighth place.

The former World No.1 has been a staple in the top 5 since 2018, when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. After climbing to the top of the rankings and becoming World No.1, the Japanese superstar had maintained her position among the best in the world.

Following the acquisition of several titles, including three more Grand Slams, Osaka experienced a hiccup as she took a hiatus from tennis to focus on her mental health. Upon returning, the 23-year old seemed out-of-sorts on the court, failing to defend her US Open crown as she was knocked out in the third round by eventual runner-up Leylah Fernandez at Flushing Meadows.

Osaka announced after her loss to Fernandez that she would be taking another hiatus from tennis, stating that she no longer experienced joy in winning.