Naomi Osaka was unable to continue her unbeaten record against Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells.
Osaka had not played Sabalenka since the 2018 US Open, the tournament where she won her first Grand Slam title.
The two players are in very different positions nearly eight years later, and this time world number one Sabalenka was able to beat Osaka 6-2, 6-4.
After being knocked out of Indian Wells, Osaka admitted that she felt a bit surprised by Sabalenka.
Naomi Osaka says it felt like playing Aryna Sabalenka for the first time
At the time of their first match, Osaka was the world number 19, while Sabalenka was the world number 20.
Six years on from that encounter, Sabalenka is now the world number one, while Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Despite losing to Sabalenka, Osaka still appeared positive about the fourth round match at Indian Wells.
Osaka said in her post-match press conference, “Yeah, I mean, it was definitely really tough, but honestly, my biggest takeaway is that I had a lot of fun I hadn’t gotten the opportunity to play on Stadium 1, and to play against the number one player, it was really cool.”
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Although this was the second time they have played each other, Osaka admitted that it felt like the first, joking that it felt like Sabalenka ‘tricked’ her in the way that some of her shots were not as fast as she was expecting.
“No, it definitely felt like playing her for the first time,” answered Osaka. “I think, like, obviously I could watch her on TV or whatever, but in reality, it’s very different.
“I also feel like I was a little, like, flat-footed sometimes, because I expected the ball to be coming harder but then it didn’t. She grunts the same way for every ball. I was, like, Oh, my God, she tricked me (smiling).
“No, it was a cool learning experience. I know we haven’t played for a long time, so I hope that we can play again sometime soon.”
Naomi Osaka responds to Aryna Sabalenka’s comments about her switching agency
As well as it being the first time that Osaka and Sabalenka had played in nearly eight years, it is also the first time they have faced since the former left the agency that they shared.
Osaka co-founded agency Evolve in 2022, which Sabalenka had been part of since January 2025, but the Japanese star decided to leave her own agency in December to re-join IMG.
When asked about if this added anything to the match, Osaka dismissed it being a factor.
“I mean, for me, I don’t think so, no,” responded Osaka. “I obviously don’t have that experience, but I’m also the player that doesn’t look anywhere, you know, during the match. I don’t notice people, I don’t hear things. I’m kind of just focused on the tennis. I kind of feel like that’s how it should be.”
Sabalenka was also asked about the switch in her own press conference, joking that it was not a smart decision and that she felt sorry for Osaka going back to IMG.
These comments were relayed to Osaka, who explained that she was a very different person to Sabalenka and expressed that she was happy to be back at IMG.
“Was she laughing when she said it (smiling)?” questioned Osaka. “Look, we’re two different people, like, for sure. I think her experiences aren’t the same as mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know.
“For me, I have always loved IMG. I have been treated really well there, and the people there are really kind to me. I would recommend to IMG to people. I guess she wouldn’t.
“But, yeah, I think we just have two very different experiences at two different places.”
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Sabalenka now moves on to the Indian Wells quarterfinals, where she will play Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko.
While Osaka will now turn her attention to the Miami Open, where she reached the final in 2022.
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