Naomi Osaka returned to form in 2025 and saw her world ranking soar over the course of 12 months.
Last year, the signs for Osaka didn’t look good. She had dropped to number 59 in the world rankings and only managed to win three matches in four Grand Slam tournaments.
Osaka took 2023 off to start a family, and naturally, it was always going to be tricky to instantly hit the ground running on her return to the game.
As the saying goes, however, form is temporary and class is permanent, with Osaka reaching the semifinals of the US Open in 2025, losing narrowly to Amanda Anisimova.
Osaka pulled out of Japan to end her 2025 with injury, and now, as the annual award nominations have been announced, she can be forgiven for feeling absolutely gutted.
Naomi Osaka remarkably omitted from one WTA Tour award
It’s that time of the year when tennis fans can cast their votes for the best players of the 2025 season, with a number of different awards to get involved with.
Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles during her career, and it’s fair to say that it would be a stretch for her to win the Player of the Year.
However, when it comes to Comeback Star of the Year, the fact that she’s not been nominated is frankly absurd.
Osaka has risen a number of places to number 16 in the world rankings, and after enjoying a solid end to the year, it’s quite remarkable to think that she’s not made the cut.
The Comeback Player of the Year award is given to the player whose ranking previously dropped due to injury or personal reasons, and the current season’s results helped restore rankings.
The fact that the above criteria need to be met and then Osaka is omitted is just baffling, and she has every right to be annoyed at the decision.
Who is nominated for the Comeback Player of the Year award
- Belinda Bencic
- Sorana Cirstea
- Barbara Krejcikova
- Anastasija Sevastova
- Marketa Vondrousova
It has to be said that Bencic will probably win this accolade, given that she’s claimed some really big wins on the tour this year.
Bencic slipped all the way down to number 913 in the rankings in recent times, before reviving her career, winning some titles and returning to sit number 11 in the world.
Whilst nobody can deny that the players nominated – including Bencic – are worthy nominees, it still feels ridiculous that Osaka wasn’t included on the list.
As a four-time major winner, Osaka will now be desperate to get back over the line at a major and if she can stay fit and healthy perhaps she can make a mockery of the fact she’s not been nominated here next year.
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