By Tannistha Dey
Naomi Osaka reminded the tennis world of her Grand Slam pedigree on Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, powering past World No. 3 Coco Gauff 6–3, 6–2 to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open. It was her biggest win in years — her first over a top-3 opponent since 2019 — and the most definitive sign yet that her long road back to the top may finally be complete.
After being the shining star of the sport, Osaka’s career took a dramatic turn following her victory at the 2021 Australian Open. She decided to quit the tour, discussed her mental health issues openly , and then spent 16 months away from the sport, spending time on herself and giving birth to her daughter, Shai. Her comeback in early 2024 brought more questions than answers: could she still perform at a high level — and did she want to?
Early on, there was a mixed bag of results. While she remained true to her trademark ferocious style, consistency proved elusive. Nevertheless, there were glimpses of her best self, most prominently at this year’s French Open, where she faced eventual champion Iga Świątek with match points on her least-favorite surface. It was a close defeat but a turning point in image.
The more resolute transformation occurred this summer through a coaching change. Osaka partnered with Tomasz Wiktorowski, Świątek’s former coach, who assisted in streamlining her baseline power and making her tactical game more straightforward. The adjustment was instantaneous. She made the WTA 1000 final in Toronto and arrived in New York sharp and focused.
Gauff, however, came into the tournament in transition. After a solid season, the reigning champion switched coaches late, opting for a biomechanics expert to work on her struggling serve. Her grip on her forehand was still a weak point, and she was uncomfortable during the initial rounds.
Osaka fully capitalised. She broke Gauff in the first game and never relinquished her grip, overwhelming from the baseline and extracting 20 unforced errors from her opponent’s forehand. The match ended in a final Gauff miscue, her frustration evident.
Osaka, on the other hand, appeared serene and relaxed. “These are the moments I play tennis for,” she said.
She now meets 11th seed Karolína Muchová in the quarters. With all four of her prior Slam quarterfinals resulting in titles, Osaka’s comeback is not only real — it’s lethal.