Tennis News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Naomi Osaka Devastated After Amanda Anisimova Spoils Her Labubu Plans at US Open

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 11:43 AM ET

Naomi Osaka suffered defeat in the US Open semifinal after a marathon three-setter against Amanda Anisimova. It was Osaka’s first Grand Slam semifinal since her return to tennis after maternity leave.

Osaka was not at all sad after the exit, as making the semifinals only inspired her to continue working and improve her game. But what made her emotional was Labubu. At the press conference, a journalist asked her what her next Labubu would have been.

Oh, don’t make me cry, man. Oh my God, the most devastating question.

Those following Osaka’s matches and interviews are very well aware of her custom Labubus. First, she introduced Billie Jean Bling, named after the legendary Billie Jean King.

Then there were three more – Arthur Flashe after Arthur Ashe, Althea Glitterson, inspired by Althea Gibson. After her quarterfinal win over Karolina Muchova, Osaka was giggling when she showed off her next Labubu – Andre Swagassi (after Andre Agassi). Osaka had planned a Labubu modelled after herself if she had reached the US Open final.

So, I literally just talked about this, but I wanted to make one of myself in my last year outfit, and it was the green one, and it would have had the bow, and I am sick about it. Oh, my God, that’s like the worst thing. Honestly, I’m fine losing, but don’t ask me about this Labubu, man. Yeah, it would have been me.
Naomi Osaka added

The artist behind the Japanese ace’s Labubus is Kerin Rose Gold, who, during an interview with The New York Times, said it takes about eight to 12 hours to make one Labubu doll. Gold used to give those Labubus a couple of hours before Osaka’s matches.

Osaka was chasing her first title since the 2021 Australian Open. So far this season, the four-time Grand Slam champion has played two finals and lost both.

Amanda Anisimova eyes a repeat of Wimbledon semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka

Amanda Anisimova took a 3-0 head-to-head lead over Naomi Osaka after their US Open semifinals. While Osaka was eyeing a spot in a Grand Slam final for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open, the American has reached her career’s second Major final.

Anisimova will also be playing back-to-back Grand Slam finals. In July this year, Anisimova suffered the biggest heartbreak of her career when she was double-bageled by World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the final.

Anisimova took her revenge by ousting the six-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals of this US Open. At SW19, en route to the championship match, Anisimova knocked out Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the semifinals. Ahead of the final at Flushing Meadows, Anisimova made her feelings known on facing the World No.1 for the 10th time in her career. She said at the press conference:

She is the world number one and is playing incredible tennis. It’s going to be a battle. Yes, I’m excited. Every time we’ve played has been great. We’ve had very, very tough matches. Many of them have been in Grand Slams, especially at the beginning of my career. But I think the most remarkable one was probably the one at Wimbledon.

In those 10 matches, Sabalenka won only thrice. Even in five of their Grand Slam meetings, the first seed trails 2-3. Sabalenka will be playing her seventh Grand Slam singles final and also her third one of the season after her appearance in the summit clashes of the Australian Open and French Open, where she lost the matches to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively.

The defending champion, before reaching the final, knocked out last year’s US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka will also be playing the US Open final for the third consecutive time.

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

More must-reads: