Naomi Osaka has hinted that she could retire from tennis in 2025 if results don’t start improving.
The Australian Open this year will mark one year since Osaka returned to tennis and the first year saw the former world number one make some good progress.
Osaka had match points against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros and produced some decent runs in tournaments which saw her end the year at 58 in the world.
Now with Patrick Mouratoglou by her side, Osaka is aiming to climb even higher up the rankings as she targets a Grand Slam seeding this year.
Reflecting on 2024 Osaka admitted her recent results humbled her as she looks for better performances in 2025, “I think 2024 humbled me, but I also feel like I grew a lot,” Osaka told the Associated Press.
“I worked way harder than I’ve ever worked before. So in that, I guess it was very painful to not get the results I wanted, but I feel like I’m growing and learning and I am really excited for this year (2025).
“I played really good matches. People still talk to me about my Iga (Swiatek) match at the French Open (lost 7-6 1-6 7-5). So I´m glad that I was able to give people memories as well. Even though I got injured in Beijing, which was my last tournament, I feel pretty optimistic about how that match would have turned out (against Coco Gauff) and I am excited to play on hardcourt again.”
Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion and will fancy her chances again to win a third title in Melbourne if she can re-establish her old form.
However failure to improve in 2025 could have severe consequences on Osaka’s career which may include retirement as Osaka hinted at in her press conference in Auckland, “I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” Osaka stunningly told reporters.
“I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while. I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
Before competing at the Australian Open, Osaka will compete in Auckland this week where her first round match will be against world number 221 Lina Glushko.
