Naomi Osaka’s loss at Indian Wells is a setback, but it does not define her comeback. She remains one of the most talented players on the WTA Tour, and with time, she can regain the form that made her a four-time Grand Slam champion
While there are challenges ahead, including fitness concerns and confidence issues, Osaka has shown resilience throughout her career.
If she can make the necessary adjustments, a strong showing at the Miami Open could reignite her 2025 season.
For now, fans will eagerly wait to see how she responds in her next challenge.
While Naomi Osaka’s title drought has lasted over four years, she still has the ability and experience to turn things around. Her comeback has been slow, but with improved fitness, consistency, and confidence, she could break her streak in 2025.
Whether she can return to Grand Slam-winning form remains to be seen, but fans will be eagerly watching to see if one of the most talented players of her generation can reclaim her place among the elite.
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Naomi Osaka: Performance Against Camila Osorio
A Tough Defeat in the Opening Round
Naomi Osaka suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the BNP Paribas Open, falling to Colombia’s Camila Osorio in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.1
Despite being a former champion at Indian Wells and entering the match as the favorite, Osaka struggled with her rhythm and ultimately fell short.
The match marked an unexpected setback for the Japanese star, who had shown promising signs earlier in 2025.
Having reached the final in Auckland and advancing to the third round of the Australian Open before injuries forced her to withdraw, Osaka appeared to be regaining her form. However, her struggles against Osorio have raised concerns about her consistency.
Is the traffic in LA getting worse????
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) February 26, 2025
Osaka’s Performance Breakdown: Struggles with Serve and Timing
From the beginning of the match, Osaka seemed out of sync, particularly with her serve. The former World No. 1 faced early breakpoints in the third game of the first set but managed to hold.
However, at 4-4, Osorio broke Osaka’s serve, capitalizing on her opponent’s mistakes to secure the first set 6-4.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Osaka immediately dropped her serve in the opening game but recovered to break Osorio right back. At 3-3, the Colombian secured another crucial break, putting Osaka under immense pressure.
While the Japanese star fought hard to stay in the match, even saving a match point in the ninth game, she ultimately could not convert four break points in the final game.
Osorio sealed the victory on her first match point, eliminating Osaka from the tournament.
Naomi Osaka’s Candid Post-Match Reaction
Following the loss, Osaka did not hold back in her assessment of her performance.2
Taking to social media, she expressed her frustration, calling it the worst match she had ever played.
“Worst match I’ve ever played in my life. Wow, I’m so sorry to everyone who watched that,” Osaka wrote on Threads.
Her brutally honest reaction highlighted her disappointment, as she had hoped for a stronger showing at Indian Wells, where she had previously won the title in 2018.
The Impact of the Loss on Osaka’s Comeback
Osaka’s return to the WTA Tour in 2024 after giving birth to her daughter was met with much anticipation. Fans and analysts alike expected her to steadily regain her dominant form.
While she has shown flashes of brilliance, including strong performances in Auckland and Melbourne, this latest defeat raises questions about whether she can sustain a high level consistently.
Physical fitness has been a recurring concern, as injuries forced her to retire in both the Auckland final and the Australian Open third round.
With the clay and grass-court seasons approaching, Osaka must find a way to stay healthy and build confidence in her game.
What’s Next for Naomi Osaka?
Despite the disappointing result at Indian Wells, Osaka has an opportunity to bounce back quickly.3
Her next tournament will be the Miami Open, set to begin on March 17.
Miami has historically been a favorable venue for Osaka. She reached the final there in 2022 and has often produced some of her best hard-court tennis in Florida.
If she can make necessary adjustments and regain her serving consistency, she could be a strong contender in the upcoming event.
While much of the attention was on Osaka’s struggles, Camila Osorio deserves credit for her strong performance.
The 22-year-old Colombian played with composure and aggression, taking advantage of Osaka’s mistakes.
Osorio, who had lost to Osaka at the 2022 Australian Open, showcased her improved game, particularly in return points and movement around the court. This victory could serve as a significant confidence booster for her as she aims to make deeper runs in big tournaments.
Keys to Osaka’s Revival in Miami
If Osaka wants to put the Indian Wells loss behind her and make a deep run in Miami, she needs to address the following areas:
Osaka’s serve has long been one of her biggest weapons, but against Osorio, it was inconsistent. To be a title contender in Miami and beyond, she must regain confidence in her first serve and reduce double faults.
One of Osaka’s greatest strengths in her prime was her ability to stay composed under pressure. If she wants to return to the top of the game, she needs to focus on maintaining a strong mindset, even when matches don’t go her way.
Injuries have hindered Osaka’s ability to compete at her best. Ensuring that she stays healthy and manages her body properly will be critical for long-term success.
Osaka has played relatively few matches since her return. Competing in more tournaments and gaining match experience will help her rediscover her rhythm and form.
Naomi Osaka’s Title Drought
A Struggle for Success Since 2021
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, has not won a title since her triumph at the 2021 Australian Open.
Despite her undeniable talent and past dominance on the WTA Tour, her career has faced numerous setbacks, including injuries, mental health breaks, and pregnancy.
Her recent first-round loss to Camila Osorio at Indian Wells 2025 has further extended her title drought, raising questions about whether she can reclaim her former glory.
This article explores the various factors contributing to her struggles, her efforts to make a comeback, and what the future holds for the Japanese tennis star.
Osaka’s last tournament victory came over four years ago at the Australian Open 2021, where she dominated the field and defeated Jennifer Brady in the final. At the time, she looked poised to dominate women’s tennis for years to come.
Her aggressive baseline play, powerful serve, and mental resilience made her a formidable opponent. However, things took a different turn after this triumph, and she has since struggled to recapture that winning form.
Struggles After Her Last Major Victory
Since 2021, Osaka has only managed to reach two WTA finals, highlighting her inconsistent performances on the tour.
- Miami Open 2022 Final – Lost to Iga Swiatek
- Auckland Open 2024 Final – Lost to Coco Gauff
Her inability to convert these opportunities into titles reflects the challenges she has faced, both physically and mentally.
Osaka has endured a series of injuries that have disrupted her rhythm. From hamstring issues to Achilles tendon problems, these physical setbacks have prevented her from competing at her peak.
Additionally, she has been open about her struggles with mental health, taking multiple breaks from the tour to focus on her well-being. This includes her famous withdrawal from the 2021 French Open after refusing to participate in press conferences, citing anxiety and depression.
Her decision to prioritize her mental health was widely praised, but it also meant she spent significant time away from competitive tennis, affecting her match fitness and ranking.
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The Impact of Pregnancy on Her Career
Osaka announced in January 2023 that she was expecting her first child. She gave birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, which meant she missed the entire 2023 season.
Returning to professional sports after pregnancy is never easy, and Osaka herself acknowledged the challenges she faced in rebuilding her physique.
“I know nobody cares but I’m kinda happy with my muscle definition now. It’s been a long journey post pregnancy 😭,” Osaka shared on her Instagram story.
Her return to the tour in 2024 was met with high expectations, but it has been a slow and steady process as she regains her form.
Struggles in 2024: A Tough Return
Osaka’s comeback in 2024 saw her competing in several tournaments, but results have been mixed.
- Australian Open 2024 – First-round loss to Caroline Garcia
- Dubai Championships 2024 – Second-round exit
- Auckland Open 2024 – Runner-up to Coco Gauff
- Indian Wells 2025 – First-round loss to Camila Osorio
Her loss to Osorio in Indian Wells 2025 was particularly disappointing, as it led to her ranking dropping from 56 to 61 in the live WTA Rankings.
At her peak, Osaka was the World No.1 and a dominant force on hard courts. However, due to her extended absences, her ranking has suffered significantly.
- 2021: World No. 1
- 2022: Dropped outside the Top 10
- 2023: Unranked (due to maternity leave)
- 2024: Returned to competition, slowly climbing back
- 2025: Ranked No. 61 after Indian Wells exit
Her current ranking puts her at risk of unseeded draws in major tournaments, making her path to deep runs even more difficult.
Naomi Osaka’s Strengths
Despite her struggles, Osaka possesses several qualities that could help her return to the top:
Osaka’s ability to hit deep, aggressive groundstrokes has always been a major weapon. If she regains confidence in her shot-making, she can challenge the best players again.
While mental health challenges have affected her, when she is in the right mindset, Osaka has shown incredible composure under pressure—evident in her four Grand Slam victories.
Unlike young players who might struggle with nerves, Osaka knows what it takes to win Grand Slams and Premier WTA titles.
Challenges She Faces in Her Comeback
The current WTA landscape is filled with young, hungry players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka. The depth in women’s tennis has increased, making Osaka’s road to titles tougher.
Osaka’s performances since her return have been unpredictable. She needs to find a steady level of play across tournaments to become a title contender again.
Returning from pregnancy is not just about fitness but also match sharpness and endurance. Osaka will need more matches under her belt to reach peak form.
What’s Next for Naomi Osaka?
Osaka has never been particularly strong on clay (Roland Garros) or grass (Wimbledon). However, she may use these seasons to gain match experience before the US Open swing.
The US Open has been Osaka’s most successful Slam (wins in 2018 and 2020). If she can regain form, she could target the 2025 edition as a potential comeback tournament.
To qualify for the WTA Finals, Osaka must consistently perform well in big events. This means deep runs in Premier 1000 tournaments and Grand Slams.
