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Naomi Osaka cuts short on-court interview after win in Japan: ‘I’m sorry’

Originally posted on HITC | By Lee Clarke | Last updated Oct 15, 2025 12:27 PM ET

Naomi Osaka is through to the quarter-finals of the WTA 250 event in Osaka, though it wasn’t a straightforward path.

After edging out the first set in a tiebreak, she dropped the second 6-3 to Dutch player Suzan Lamens. But Osaka regrouped well and closed out the match with a comfortable 6-2 final set.

The opening round had been less challenging, where she praised 17-year-old wildcard Sonobe Wakana after their match. This time around, she faced a bit more resistance.

Osaka has had a tough stretch in Asia, having lost to Linda Noskova at the Wuhan Open last week and falling to Aliaksandra Sasnovich earlier in the Asian swing at the China Open.

Naomi Osaka cuts post-match interview short after win over Suzan Lamens

Naomi Osaka’s latest victory may have come at a price. The world number 14 was briefly interviewed on court following her three-set win, and it was clear the match had taken a physical toll.

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Osaka apologised for her attitude during the match but expressed gratitude for the support, telling Sky Sports Tennis: “It was definitely really difficult. I am kind of sorry about my attitude, but I’m really glad to have won, and it’s very special for me to play here, so thank you guys for coming out.”

She interrupted before another question could be asked, saying: “Can I go? My leg is really hurting, I’m sorry.”

Osaka will be hoping the injury isn’t a major concern

Naomi Osaka has had a strong career from an injury standpoint, especially for someone who’s won four Grand Slam titles.

So, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was just a bit of cramp or general fatigue after what’s been a demanding season on the WTA Tour. Given her top seed status, Osaka will back herself to make a deep run and possibly even win the event.

The signs have been there in recent months that she’s moving closer to her best form, and next year could be an important one for her.

Amanda Anisimova spoke positively about Osaka after their semi-final meeting at the US Open in September, which felt like another step forward for the Japanese player.

With four majors already to her name, Osaka knows what it takes. The next challenge is finding consistency again and pushing deeper into Grand Slam draws on a regular basis.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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