Osaka, Between Renaissance and Recognition: Her Emotion-Filled Message to Conclude the 2025 Season
Back in the spotlight after a long period of uncertainty, Naomi Osaka wanted to thank those who accompanied her in her reconstruction. A sincere and touching statement to conclude a 2025 season full of twists and turns.
2025 marked Naomi Osaka's return to the forefront of the WTA tour.
Coached by Patrick Mouratoglou during the first half of the season, the Japanese player showed she was competitive by reaching the final in Auckland in early January, but she lacked consistency.
It was only from the end of July that the turning point occurred. The four-time major winner parted ways with Mouratoglou, promptly hired Tomasz Wiktorowski – the former coach of Iga Swiatek – and reached the final of the WTA 1000 in Montreal.
At the US Open, Osaka had an impressive run, only stopped by Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals.
Back in the top 20, she had to end her season at home, at the Tokyo tournament, due to an injury. On her social media, the former world No. 1 took stock of her 2025 year:
"It took me a while to gather my thoughts, but here is my end-of-year recap for 2025. When I take the time to sit down and think about it, I am truly grateful for this year.
I am grateful for the people I have met along the way. Even if we may go in different directions, I will cherish these moments forever.
I am also grateful to have stayed injury-free this year (saying that, I got injured at the end of the season), to be able to wake up every day and pursue my dreams. I am grateful to be able to travel and discover the world with my daughter.
I am very honored to have such amazing people supporting me. I don't know what I did to deserve all this love and support, but I thank you so much. I can never repay you, but I will do my best. See you next year."