A version of this article was first published on 3 September 2025
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 and will face Amanda Anisimova in the US Open semi-finals on Thursday.
“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 now preparing for a Grand Slam semi-final.
So what’s changed over the past couple of months?
