Osaka picks up momenteum at the tail end of season

By Jordaan SanfordPublished October 08, 2019

Ever since she stunned Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final for her maiden Grand Slam title, Naomi Osaka’s cards have turned.

Entering the event—as the No. 20 seed—she had no expectations and, most importantly, no pressure.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the championship trophy after winning the Women's Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — © 2018 Getty Images

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But now, it’s a different story. With the lights and cameras on, fans rallying behind her—and others against her—it’s a whirlwind of pressure.

Osaka began 2019 on a great note, rallying past five seeded-players to claim her second career major at the Australian Open. With that incredible triumph, the 21-year-old took over the world No. 1 spot for the first time in her young career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup during the Women's Australian Open media opportunity at Brighton Beach on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — © Julian Finney/Getty Images

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“I’ve never been No. 1 and a lot of people were talking about it and I think I let it get to my head a little bit” Osaka stated in an interview with FT.

In just a span of a few months, the way the tennis world looked at her was completely different. She was no longer a low seed who was glanced at every now and again. Instead, Osaka was leading the game and with that came expectations to win.

For the next seven months, the top Japanese player reached only one semifinal. In her first Grand Slam as the top seed, Osaka came close to becoming the second No. 1 seed in the Open Era to fall in the French Open’s first round, before falling the third round in straight sets. At Wimbledon, she was dismissed by Yulia Putintseva in the opening round.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 01: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during her ladies singles third round match against Katerina Siniakova of The Czech Republic during Day seven of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 01, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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But as the season comes to a close, Osaka’s momentum has picked up and she’s back to playing her game. Two weeks ago, the 21-year-old captured her first title since the Australian Open—on home soil—in Osaka, Japan. She avenged her Wimbledon loss to Putintseva en route to capturing the trophy.

This past week in Beijing, the relentless champion showed no mercy as she cracked Bianca Andreescu’s winning streak in the quarterfinal, defeated reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinal, and ousted Ashleigh Barty in the final for the China Open trophy.

OSAKA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 22: Singles champion
Naomi Osaka of Japan poses for photographs with the trophy after the Singles final agains Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during day seven of the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Utsubo Tennis Cent on September 22, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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Osaka is currently on a 10-match winning streak and is back in the Top 3. She has also officially qualified for the WTA Finals in Shenzhen for the second consecutive year.

The 21-year-old seems to be enjoying the game and lifting the overwhelming pressure from herself and others off her shoulders. Will she bring this same mentality and play into 2020? Can we expect to see her keep the crown in Australia? Only time will tell.