Kim Clijsters thinks Naomi Osaka may still have an ‘inability’ to do one thing after early US Open exit

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Kim Clijsters pointed out what she thinks is going wrong with Naomi Osaka on court.

The Japanese star returned to the court in January after a 15-month hiatus during which she gave birth to her daughter Shai.

She has played throughout the season and is striving to return to her best form, but this has yet to happen.

Following Osaka’s early exit from the US Open where she is a two-time champion, it remains to be what her plans are for the rest of the season as she aims to build some momentum heading into 2025.

What did Kim Clijsters say about Naomi Osaka’s game?

Naomi Osaka entered the US Open following her unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Cincinnati Open.

She began her latest campaign in New York in emphatic fashion with a 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow Grand Slam winner Jelena Ostapenko.

But Osaka came unstuck against Karolína Muchová in round two, who went on to reach the semi-finals.

Reflecting on the 27-year-old’s US Open campaign and form in 2024 so far, Kim Clijsters thinks she is struggling with doubt.

“I think it was Ostapenko that she beat in the first round, great tennis and you could see there was a relief, also when she was on court afterwards like when she walks off the court there was an enjoyment back,” the Belgian said on Andy Roddick’s ‘Served’ podcast.

“So I really really thought that sort of a fresh Start for her where she could maybe push deeper into the second week of the US Open.

“But then you watch her next match and you still feel like there’s that doubt that creeps in at times and there’s maybe the inability to kind of read the opponent at times as well.”

Naomi Osaka is very honest with how the defeats are affecting her

Osaka suffered her 15th defeat of the season at the US Open.

She battled hard against Muchova, but two costly errors in the second set tiebreak led to the former World number one suffering a 3-6, 6-7(5) defeat.

Osaka had hoped to peak in time for her run at Flushing Meadows, but she is still yet to find her best tennis and each defeat seems to be hitting her even harder.

“It’s a little rough because I do take these losses really personally,” she said after the match. “It’s like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose. I’ve been trying to be more mature and learn and talk more about them.”