Naomi Osaka gives her verdict on the US Open crowd after her first-round win

After making an impressive run through to the final in Montreal, fans were eager to see Naomi Osaka return to action at the US Open.

Qualifying for her first WTA 1000 final in three years, Osaka took her game to another level at the Canadian Open, defeating the likes of Jelena Ostapenko, Elina Svitolina, and Clara Tauson.

Unfortunately for the Japanese star, things didn’t go to plan in the final, as Osaka lost to Victoria Mboko in three sets.

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Many questioned her performance and attitude in the final, although Osaka quickly put those questions to rest with an impressive showing in her US Open first-round match.

Defeating Belgium’s Greet Minnen in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, the 23rd seed booked her place in round two of the US Open.

The fans were firmly with Osaka on the Louis Armstrong Arena, as she gave her verdict on the crowd during her post-match interview.

Naomi Osaka says playing at the US Open ‘feels like home’

After the match, Osaka was asked for her thoughts on the atmosphere during her first-round win.

“Honestly, whenever I play here, the atmosphere feels like home, and it is home to me, she said.

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“I’m grateful to you guys for coming out, and thank you so much for making me feel like… well, I’m from here, so thank you!”

The 27-year-old proceeded to explain how she recovered after her level dipped in the second set.

“For me, I felt really nervous and that made me a little negative at times, so I just tried to be as positive as I could when I realised I was getting a little bit down on myself,” said Osaka.

Osaka was also asked to comment on her box, as she shared just how much her team means to her.

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“Honestly, my box, my team, they’re like my family, I love all of them so much,” she said.

“I’m happy we’re going on this journey together, and I’m glad it’s been a rollercoaster, but it’s been a fun one that we’ve all been on together.”

The former world number one made a big change to her team recently, as Osaka replaced Patrick Mouratoglou with Tomasz Wiktorowski, a move that seemed to pay off almost immediately.

Improving her record alongside Wiktorowski to 7-1 with her win over Minnen, Osaka impressed former US tennis star Jill Craybas.

Match Opponent Result Score 2025 US Open – 1R Greet Minnen Win 6-3, 6-4 2025 Canadian Open – F Victoria Mboko Loss 6-2, 4-6, 1-6 2025 Canadian Open – SF Clara Tauson Win 6-2, 7-6 2025 Canadian Open – QF Elina Svitolina Win 6-2, 6-2 2025 Canadian Open – 4R Anastasija Sevastova Win 6-1, 6-0 2025 Canadian Open – 3R Jelena Ostapenko Win 6-2, 6-4 2025 Canadian Open – 2R Liudmila Samsonova Win 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 2025 Canadian Open – 1R Ariana Arsenault Win 6-4, 6-2 Naomi Osaka’s record with Tomasz Wiktorowski

“Greet Minnen played very well to start, we knew that was going to be important to her, and I think Naomi [Osaka] responded exceptionally well, I think she will be really happy with that in the first set and how she started in the second,” said Craybas during commentary for Sky Sports.

“Had a little bit of a loss of concentration in that second set, but it was amazing how she was able to find a way and then buckle down, it was almost like she was making a decision to step up again, and that’s exactly what she did.

“She just became so decisive, so patient and consistent, and what an incredible way to close it out.”

With momentum and the crowd on her side, Osaka will be a dangerous opponent for anyone at this year’s US Open.

However, she may not have quite so much crowd support for her second-round match…

Naomi Osaka prepares for American player in round two of the US Open

Beating Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova in her opener, Hailey Baptiste booked her place in round two, where she will play Osaka.

The likeable American has no trouble getting the fans on side, and will likely put on a show for those in attendance for their second-round match.

Baptiste and Osaka have played twice before in 2025, with the Japanese star emerging victorious on both occasions.

Their Miami Open clash was thrilling from start to finish, as Osaka narrowly edged past the American in three sets to extend her head-to-head lead to 2-0.

Only time will tell if we will see another classic between the pair at the US Open, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

Osaka and Baptiste will play for a spot in the US Open third round on Thursday, August 28.

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