Naomi Osaka Aims to Address Persistent Achilles Injury Following US Open Defeat

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka revealed she plans to investigate a persistent left Achilles tendon injury that affected her performance during her fourth-round loss to Elena Rybakina at the 2026 US Open. The Japanese star had already received treatment for the injury during a medical timeout in her third-round victory over Elise Mertens, but the issue worsened in her subsequent match against Rybakina.

Osaka acknowledged that the injury troubled her significantly in the 6-1, 6-4 defeat to the reigning Australian Open champion. She explained that she felt considerable discomfort in her leg during the match and that the pain intensified the following morning. Despite the setback, Osaka said she believed she played as well as she could under the circumstances.

The left Achilles tendon injury limited Osaka's ability to push off and caused pain upon landing, prompting her to adjust her serving speed in an attempt to reduce impact. She described trying to find ways to minimize the discomfort during play.

Rybakina required just 66 minutes to secure the win over Osaka, who remains hopeful she can manage the injury for the remainder of the season. Osaka reported undergoing ultrasound examinations the day before and on the morning of the match, with plans to get an MRI for a clearer diagnosis. She admitted uncertainty about the exact nature of the injury.

Osaka noted that the timing of the injury is somewhat fortunate, as the tennis calendar approaches the Asian swing followed by a two-week break. She intends to use this period to recover and be cautious about the number of matches she plays moving forward.

Reflecting on her season, Osaka expressed satisfaction with her Grand Slam results since returning to the tour more than two years ago after an extended maternity leave. She exited the Australian Open in the third round but reached the last 16 at Roland Garros and achieved her best-ever quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, which included a victory over the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka.

Osaka acknowledged that she began the year injured and is uncertain if ending the season with an injury counts as progress. However, she emphasized the personal growth and tennis development she experienced throughout the year. She hopes to continue building on her recent successes by playing more matches against top-level opponents to gain valuable experience.

In summary, Osaka is focused on understanding and managing her Achilles injury while aiming to maintain her competitive form. The upcoming break in the tennis calendar offers an opportunity for recovery, and she remains committed to improving her game through continued competition against elite players.