NEW YORK,NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the quarter final on Day 11 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03,2025 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
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Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka says a “weight has been lifted off her shoulders” after reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal as a mother at the U.S. Open.
A 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in Wednesday’s quarterfinal propelled Osaka to her third semifinal in New York and fifth overall at a major.
The 27-year-old took a break from tennis following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in 2023. She faced challenges finding consistency after returning to the WTA Tour last season. but this year,she’s rediscovered her form. It seems she’s enjoying the game again, and that’s proving dangerous for her opponents. Forbes reports that Osaka is having fun,and it’s showing on the court.
“I just feel like I’ve been working so hard to get back to this point,” Osaka saeid after the match. “It’s really special to be here.”
Osaka will face either coco Gauff or Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinal. She’s aiming for her third U.S. Open title, having previously won in 2018 and 2020.