It has been a tough road to come back, for Naomi Osaka after her daughter’s birth in 2023. The player, who demolished Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam title, is now struggling to find her winning form. Though her journey has had some positives, but it has been relatively slow. At the majors this season, she made early-round exits and the US Open was no different. However, at the hard-court major, her unique style garnered the attention of the sporting world. Or, as Megan Rapinoe would say, “She is back with a big…”

After the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023, the Japanese tennis star returned from her sabbatical at the Australian Open. However, she faced an R1 exit. However, things turned for the better, at the French Open, as she made it to the 2nd round. But Iga Swiatek was waiting for her, and in a thrilling clash. Osaka again suffered from an early exit heartbreak. However, despite falling, she stood upright back. She tasted a similar fate at the hands of Emma Navarro at Wimbledon’s R2. And in spite of her exit in the second round at the US Open, everyone’s gaze followed the Japanese tennis star. Why?

Due to her unique green and white “Lolita goth” look designed by Nike in partnership with Ambush’s Yoon Ahn. Osaka, though hesitant, was ecstatic to don the frilly, bow-embellished tulle dress. Describing the same, Osaka said, “Especially the US Open outfits, I feel like they are a little bit more flamboyant. When I was putting on my outfit today, I was, like, ah, I hope this isn’t too much!”

Rapinoe acknowledged her efforts in an Instagram post with the caption: “Loved seeing Naomi Osaka’s grace and resilience during the US Open. And living for that 🎀.” In the video shared by the former soccer player, she was seen praising Osaka’s US Open campaign. Rapinoe said, “Naomi Osaka, also back at the US Open for the first time since having her baby. I always really appreciate Naomi’s candor.”

Praising her efforts throughout the year, Rapinoe further added, “I think it’s really brave. It’s not really welcomed all that much. And it never really really has been. And she has been really open about just her emotional state and her mental health.” Though losses are not easy to deal with, Osaka took them heads on, learning from them wherever possible.

Remember, she stayed back at the French Open to grasp a few things from Swiatek after her loss! The 4-time Grand Slam champion is certainly proud of herself for making it this far. Or in Rapinoe’s words, “She is back with a big old bow on her b–t and I loved it.” However, for the Japanese tennis star, it was an emotional tournament!

Naomi Osaka’s emotional return and exit during hard court swing

Osaka claimed two of her four Grand Slam in the courts of New York. And when she stepped back on the court after a long time, she said, “Just touched the US Open grounds. This means so much to me, I could cry 🥹❤️.” However, her journey was restricted to just two rounds at this year. While she loves the process of coming back and growing, but more needs to be done. Post her exit at the Cincinnati Open, Osaka shared a heartfelt letter with the world. 

She said, “During this time, I’ve wondered what I want out of this whole experience and I realized something. I love the process (though the process doesn’t love me sometimes haha), putting in work every day and eventually having the opportunity to get to where you want to be. Nothing in life is promised, but I realized that I can promise myself to work as hard as I can and give it my best shot ’til the very end.”

Naomi Osaka certainly has a lot of tennis left in her. And we might have the first row seats to the “making of a champion” as we see her rise from the ashes, taking a “big bow” and loving it!