Naomi Osaka is facing more than just tough competition on the court — she’s battling physical pain and emotional strain behind the scenes.
Following her first-round exit from the 2025 French Open, the 27-year-old tennis star revealed she’s been suffering from painful blisters on her knuckles, sharing a close-up of her hand on Instagram. “I can’t fully bend my fingers,” she wrote, pointing out the condition — vesicles — that developed due to friction from clay courts, dating back to the Italian Open.
Emotional Toll Behind the Scenes
The defeat to Paula Badosa in a grueling three-set match clearly hit hard. On social media, Osaka expressed her emotional fatigue, writing, “I felt sick of this and wanted to take a break for a while,” though she admitted she returned to training the next day because “I have anxiety if I don’t work out.”
A tearful Osaka opened up further during her post-match press conference, confessing she feels immense pressure to perform — especially under the guidance of renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who famously trained Serena Williams.
“I hate disappointing people,” she said through tears. “Even with Patrick, I was thinking this just now… he goes from working with the greatest player ever to… like, ‘what the f*** is this?’”
A Struggle Beyond the Court
Osaka’s comeback to professional tennis after giving birth to her daughter in 2023 has been anything but smooth. While she continues to chase form and confidence, she’s also grappling with the emotional weight of expectations and recovery.
Despite the raw honesty and heartbreak, Osaka’s resilience continues to shine through. Whether she decides to step away for a while or fight through this phase, one thing is clear: she’s prioritizing her health — and that matters most.
