Naomi Osaka Admits Mental Struggle While Revealing 2025 Ranking Goal: 'Really Tough for Me'

Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 4:48 am

Naomi Osaka Eyes Top 10 Return After Mental Hurdles

Tennis star Naomi Osaka is showing signs of a resurgence, marked by a recent admission of mental struggles and a renewed focus on her ranking. Osaka, a former world number one, is aiming to break back into the top 10 by 2025.

Osaka's season has been a mix of challenges and successes. She acknowledged the difficulty of the season, expressing relief at overcoming the hurdles. Her performance has been steadily improving since Wimbledon. She reached the final of a WTA 1000 event in Montreal, though she ultimately lost to Victoria Mboko. She then made a significant run at the US Open, reaching the semifinals for the first time in five years. This performance propelled her into the top 20, providing a boost to her confidence.

Currently competing in Wuhan, Osaka secured a hard-fought victory in her opening match against Leylah Fernandez. After a challenging start, Osaka rallied to win the match with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. This marks her second appearance in Wuhan, with her previous best performance being reaching the R64 in 2017. She expressed gratitude for the support from the Chinese crowd, emphasizing her appreciation for their encouragement.

Osaka is now focused on winning the Wuhan tournament, which could significantly boost her ranking and help her achieve her goal of reaching the top 10. She has yet to secure a major WTA title this season, making a win in Wuhan particularly important.

BNN's Perspective: Osaka's journey highlights the importance of mental fortitude in professional sports. While her recent struggles are understandable, her determination to overcome them and her focus on returning to the top 10 are commendable. Her performance in Wuhan will be a key indicator of her progress and her ability to compete at the highest level.

Keywords: Naomi Osaka, tennis, WTA, Wuhan, ranking, mental health, Leylah Fernandez, US Open, top 10, Victoria Mboko, Amanda Anisimova, sports, China

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