Naomi Osaka’s “brutal” path to the 2024 US Open title has baffled several tennis fans online.
The projected path includes meetings with either a Grand Slam champion or a finalist in each round, including Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko.
Osaka, the two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020), is gearing up for her first appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2022.
The former World No. 1 was absent last year due to maternity leave.
In 2022, she drew a dangerous opening-round opponent in Danielle Collins, who also reached the Australian Open final the same year.
Naomi Osaka was unable to pose a challenge and was beaten by Collins in straight sets.
Interestingly, the four-time Grand Slam champion won’t escape a tough opponent this time either.
Much to the amusement of tennis fans, Osaka, ranked No. 85, has drawn 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the first round. What makes her path to the title particularly difficult is that she may face three other Grand Slam champions, Elena Rybakina (quarterfinal), Iga Swiatek (semifinal), and Aryna Sabalenka (final), if she progresses.
Additionally, potential meetings with three other Slam finalists, Karolina Muchova (second round), Leylah Fernandez (third round), and Jasmine Paolini (fourth round), await the Japanese player.
“This is the WORST draw in the history of bad Grand Slam draws what the f**k,” one fan said on X.”Being projected to face slam finalists EACH round is insane,” another fan said.”Time to delete my ‘Osaka is back at the US OPEN’ tweets. But we will be back for sure,” one fan quipped.
“Osaka’s US open draw is almost comically brutal. she’s set to play the three best players in the world back to back to back – only after a gauntlet to get there. if she wins this title it would be the single most impressive grand slam victory on the women’s side this century,” yet another fan opined.
“Osaka really needs to play more smaller tournaments, like some 250’s to get her ranking up. I just want 2025 to have better luck with the draw,” one fan chimed in.
Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:
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Source: USA Today
