Naomi Osaka‘s comeback struggles appear to be approaching an end. Earlier, the 4-time Grand Slam champion was tensed with her lack of strength during the Cincinnati Open in 2024. “My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body,” Osaka wrote on Instagram amid her loss. However, the former No. 1  reached her first semi-final in almost 3 years at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday. Even after her shaky start, Osaka managed to bounce back with a near-flawless performance and she credited the success to a special person.

Naomi Osaka displayed incredible flexibility to secure her place in the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic. The four-time Grand Slam champion fought back from a set down to defeat unseeded American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2. This victory marks a significant milestone for Osaka, as it is her first semi-final appearance since the Miami Open in April 2022. Ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, it’s surely a confidence booster.

Commenting on her journey, Osaka highlighted her focus and determination. “I think the key focuses I had were to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself,” she shared after the match. “I put a lot of work in throughout last year. Even though the results didn’t show it, I think just continuing to try as hard as I can and to see where it gets me.” Osaka’s efforts are clearly paying off as she continues to regain her form and confidence after a challenging phase in her career.

Osaka, currently ranked 57th, returned to the tour 12 months ago after a 15-month hiatus. During her break, she welcomed her daughter Shai in July last year. Her return to competitive tennis has been gradual but steady, with Auckland marking a turning point in her comeback.

The match against Baptiste was not without challenges. Baptiste, ranked 92nd, sought treatment for an ankle injury in the second set. Despite the setback, she showed determination, pushing Osaka to the limits on the first set. Osaka praised her opponent’s efforts, saying, “She’s an amazing player. It sucks that she was injured, but I think we played a high-quality match.”

Osaka’s performance improved significantly after a shaky start in the first set. Her powerful serve became a key weapon as she fired nine aces, bringing her tournament total to 21. She expressed satisfaction with her intensity, stating, “In a weird way, I’m glad to play a three-set match because I think that’s the kind of experience that I need.”

Osaka now awaits her semi-final opponent, as she will play the winner of the quarter-final clash between eighth seed Katie Volynets and unseeded Alycia Parks. With her current form and determination, Osaka looks favorite to go all the way and win this tournament.

Naomi Osaka proudly flaunts her stylish Nike sneakers post Auckland semi-final win

Naomi Osaka, the 2019 Australian Open champion, gave her fans another reason to cheer as she celebrated her semifinal appearance at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Osaka shared a post on Instagram showcasing her stunning white sneakers with vibrant black and orange accents. “Let’s rock and roll ❤️,” she captioned the post, sparking a wave of admiration from her followers. Comments like “👏👏👏 look at those magical shoes!!!!😁” and “@naomiosaka let’s go. Side note: your shoe game be 🔥” reflected how much fans loved her sneaker style.

Taking the sneaker celebration a step further, Osaka later shared a close-up of the shoes on her Instagram story, adding a cheeky caption: “I take pride in knowing that I constantly have the best shoes in tennis.” Her confidence and unique style continue to make waves both on and off the court.

This isn’t the first time Osaka has impressed fans with her footwear. At the 2024 Roland Garros, she sported mismatched Nike Zoom GP Challenge 1 sneakers with asymmetrical designs. The red shoe symbolized strength and luck, featuring a mythical dragon, while the blue shoe reflected calmness with floral details. The intricate sashiko-inspired patterns paid homage to her Japanese heritage, embodying the “quintessential Naomi Osaka” aesthetic.

Osaka’s sneaker game has become an extension of her vibrant personality, blending functionality with creative flair as she dominates the court in style.