As the 2025 tennis season approaches, Naomi Osaka's future has become a hot topic after her candid remarks about possibly stepping away from the sport. Ranking No. 57 in the world, she stated, "I don't think I'm the type of player that would hang around." Her focus seemed to shift toward spending quality time with her daughter rather than competing at a subpar level. With rising stars like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka dominating in her absence, many questioned if Osaka could reclaim her previous greatness.

Fast forward eight months, and Osaka is already shaking off the dust with an outstanding performance at the U.S. Open, making it to the quarterfinals. And here's a thrilling fact: every time she has reached the quarterfinals in a major tournament, she has gone on to win it! Historically, when Osaka is at her prime on hard courts, she displays near-invincibility, reminiscent of her championship runs at the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.

This week, we’ve caught glimpses of the formidable Osaka, especially evident during her commanding win over Coco Gauff, where she secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory. At her best, Osaka exhibits a laid-back style, dominating rallies without needing to sprint all over the court. Her strategic positioning at the baseline allows her to unleash powerful groundstrokes that are hard to return, even at top speed.

Osaka's gameplay is a masterclass in precision and unpredictability; she has a remarkable ability to shift the direction of the rally without breaking a sweat. Against a defender like Gauff, who usually absorbs pressure well, points felt mechanical and one-sided. Gauff was still adapting her strategy with a new coach, making this encounter even more challenging for her.

Interestingly, Osaka recently achieved a milestone by securing her first-ever victory over a top-five player in a major tournament. In just 64 minutes, she showcased why she is still a formidable contender. With her sights set on the later rounds of the U.S. Open, the question remains: is this the beginning of Osaka's second act?