Exit interviews at a Grand Slam are usually defined by raw anguish, agonizing over missed opportunities, and the heavy burden of defeat. But following her 6-1, 6-4 fourth-round loss to Elena Rybakina at the US Open, Naomi Osaka sat in front of the press corps carrying an entirely different energy: profound tranquility.
The former champion’s run at Flushing Meadows came to a definitive halt against the blistering power of the second-seeded Kazakh. Rybakina raced through the opening set in just 22 minutes and kept Osaka pinned behind the baseline with deep, relentless hitting, ultimately sealing the 6-1, 6-4 victory in 66 minutes to book a quarterfinal spot.
Yet, when asked afterwards if she was disappointed by how her tournament ended or frustrated by looks she didn’t get to show, Osaka’s response caught many off guard.
“I think there’s always something [laughs]. That’s a way that I can have fun and sort of just excite myself also,” Osaka said. “But I’m honestly not disappointed now. It’s a very strange feeling. And last year I wasn’t that disappointed either… Maybe I’m just getting older, but I don’t feel sad.”
Naomi Osaka How to Take a Loss After US Open 2026 Exit
The sentiment wasn’t about a lack of competitive fire. Osaka was quick to clarify that she did feel the physical frustrations of the match, noting the limitations of being unable to properly push off her foot or execute the tactical game plan she had meticulously prepared.
“Today if I was to say I’m sad, I was sad that I couldn’t push off on my foot. I’m sad I couldn’t do what I set out to do,” she admitted.
Naomi Osaka says she’s not sad after her loss to Elena Rybakina at the U.S. Open, ‘If I think about my life, my daughter is healthy. Everyone in my family is great. I had an opportunity to play this Slam. I got as far as I could’
“Were there more surprises, looks you wanted to… pic.twitter.com/k94DpOrOTe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 7, 2026
However, the Japanese star expressed genuine pride in how her mental framework around defeat has evolved. Rather than carrying losses as a personal indictment, she is learning to pivot toward evaluation and emotional stability.
“I think I’m happy I’m taking losses differently. I’m trying to learn from them a lot more,” Osaka reflected.
“If I think about my life, my daughter is healthy. Everyone in my family is great,” Osaka said, encapsulating her post-match peace. “I had an opportunity to play this Slam. I got as far as I could. It’s only up from here I guess,” she added.
