Naomi Osaka’s US Open chances questioned by Chris Evert in ‘magic’ verdict

Oli Dickson Jefford 21 Aug 2024 8:32 PM

Naomi Osaka with the US Open trophy after her 2020 triumph

Chris Evert has questioned whether Naomi Osaka can find "magic" at the US Open.

Naomi Osaka’s US Open chances have been questioned by tennis great Chris Evert, who is unsure whether the Japanese can find “magic” in New York.

Former world No 1 Osaka will play at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022, having missed the event in 2023 following the birth of her first child earlier that summer.

Osaka’s 2024 return has been rather stop-start with the four-time major winner unable to build much momentum throughout the season.

After a Cincinnati Open qualifying loss, the 26-year-old detailed her recent struggles with form and confidence, saying she did not feel like she was in “my body”.

The Japanese has received a main draw wildcard at Flushing Meadows, where she won the title in 2018 and 2020.

But, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, six-time US Open winner Evert believes it remains to be seen if Osaka can rediscover her New York “magic”.

“She’s going through some doubtful times,” said the 18-time Grand Slam champion.

“We’ll see if she can get that magic because it is the U.S. Open. She has won this title, so let’s see if she can get that magic going. I think her story, her journey, remains to be seen.

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“I know she has the game, but it takes more than the game. It takes a lot of confidence and a lot of focus. We’ll see.

“She’s in a different part of her life right now where it seems she’s so calm and she’s so relaxed and happy and peaceful.

“The mental problems haven’t really affected her. She has a child, which she is madly in love with. Sometimes when you are too happy, that can’t always be good either, I don’t know, for us to be intense and fierce.”

Osaka is one of several mothers on the WTA Tour and in the US Open draw, with her daughter Shai born in July 2023.

And Evert, who welcomed three children after her retirement, believes motherhood will be “freeing” for Osaka.

She added: “Naomi has shown us so much compassion and kindness during her career that I think that’s going to translate that into caring for another human being, I think she’s going to be an awesome mum.

“I think it’s going to be very freeing for her, in the sense that she can now focus on a human being that is more important than anything else in the world.

“And she’s not just focusing on tennis, the pressures, the expectations, all the challenges that she faced before, the anxiety, I think having a child is the most freeing and the most loving act that can happen to you.

“It’s going to be very healthy and almost healing for her.”