Naomi Osaka is on a mission at the 2025 Australian Open, and her second-round victory over Karolina Muchova wasn’t just about moving forward—it was personal. The four-time Grand Slam champion dominated the Czech star, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, avenging her US Open loss to Muchova last year, a setback Osaka still remembers strongly.
“She crushed me at the US Open when I had my best outfit ever,” Osaka joked during her on-court interview at Kia Arena, drawing laughter from the crowd. “I was so angry. It was my little revenge. Revenge is competitive—that’s not a bad thing.”
A Return Fueled by Determination
Osaka’s journey to Melbourne is particularly captivating as she continues her return to the circuit after becoming a mother. The 25-year-old has embraced her new role off the court while remaining focused on her goals as a tennis player.
Its latest victory highlighted Osaka’s resilience. After a shaky start, she made an impressive comeback, reminding fans why she is one of the sport’s most electrifying competitors. Muchova, seeded at number 20, found herself outmatched by Osaka’s trademark power and precision in the latter stages of the match.
“She’s one of the toughest opponents ever,” Osaka said of Muchova. “It means a lot to beat her.”
Next challenge: Belinda Bencic, another “mom on a mission”
Osaka’s next challenge is Swiss star Belinda Bencic, who also returned to the circuit recently after giving birth to her daughter. The Tokyo Olympics champion has been in great form since her return, setting the stage for a clash between two determined mothers who are making waves in professional tennis.
Although Osaka downplayed the “mom story,” she acknowledged the shared journey. “I think we’re labeled as ‘moms,’ of course,” she said. “But when you’re on the tennis court, you just think about yourself as a tennis player. »
The match promises to be thrilling. Bencic leads their head-to-head matchup 3-2, although Osaka won their last meeting, a hard-fought Miami Open semifinal three years ago.
“I know she’s an incredibly tough player. She fights a lot,” Osaka said. “It’s really great that she also had a baby and came back. She seems to be doing really well, so I think it’ll be fun. »
Osaka aims for first title since 2021
Osaka’s last title was won right here at Melbourne Park in 2021, and she is hungry to regain her place at the top. His comeback is more than just about tennis: it’s a testament to resilience, adaptability and his unyielding competitive spirit.
As she faces Bencic in the third round, Osaka has the chance to further strengthen her narrative as one of the most compelling stories of the tournament. With revenge in the rearview mirror and redemption on her mind, Osaka proves once again why she is a force to be reckoned with.
Related News :