Osaka takes major title wait in stride after US Open exit

New York - Naomi Osaka's recent fourth-round exit from the US Open has further delayed her quest for a fourth Grand Slam title. However, the Japanese tennis star has a unique perspective on her setback, attributing it to changes in her personal life.

Osaka previously won her last major title at the Australian Open in 2021, after a three-year hiatus following her return to the sport and the birth of her daughter, Shai. Despite her recent loss to Elena Rybakina, Osaka said that the time away from tennis and the arrival of her child have significantly altered her outlook on success.

"I had a kid, you know? There's a lot that happened in that time," she said after her 6-1, 6-4 defeat. "If I reflect on my career and the things I've been able to do, there's nothing that I regret or there's nothing that I'm sad about."

Osaka has won her first four Grand Slam titles - all at the US Open - in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She added another major at Melbourne in 2019, but her Achilles injury during her recent loss to Rybakina has left her feeling disappointed. However, she remains positive, emphasizing that her daughter's health, the well-being of her family, and the opportunity to compete in the tournament have been significant factors in her life.

"In my life, my daughter is healthy, everyone in my family is great," she stated. "I had an opportunity to play this slam. I got as far as I could. So it's only up from here."