Naomi Osaka's competitive tennis season officially concluded on Thursday with a straight-sets second-round defeat at the Pan Pacific Open. Facing 18-year-old Slovak Mia Pohankova, Osaka struggled early as her opponent secured three service breaks in the opening set and struck seven aces. The match capped Osaka's first year back on tour following a 15-month hiatus after the birth of her daughter, Shai. Making her first appearance at the Tokyo tournament in four years, the 29-year-old also made headlines by wearing an elaborate red kimono-style gown onto the court.
Key points
Naomi Osaka ended her full-year tour return without capturing a single title or reaching…: Naomi Osaka ended her full-year tour return without capturing a single title or reaching a Grand Slam final.
The former world number one expressed peace with her current form and vowed to continue p…: The former world number one expressed peace with her current form and vowed to continue pursuing major titles.
Osaka noted the unique tactical difficulty of facing younger opponents who grew up watchi…: Osaka noted the unique tactical difficulty of facing younger opponents who grew up watching her play professional tennis.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Four-time Grand Slam champ Naomi Osaka loses 6-3, 7-5 to 18-year-old Slovak Mia Pohankova, ranked 144 in the world.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka said she would “keep attempting” to get back to her Grand Slam-winning best after her season ended with a second-round exit in Japan on Thursday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-3, 7-5 to 18-year-old Slovak Mia Pohankova, ranked 144 in the world, at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
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Osaka has not won a title this year and has not reached a Grand Slam final since she returned to tennis after a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter Shai in 2023.
The 29-year-old, now ranked 18 in the world, said she…
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