Naomi Osaka’s Shocking Indian Wells Exit: ‘Worst Match of My Career’ Costs Her Big Time—Both on the Court and in the Bank!

Naomi Osaka Calls Indian Wells Loss the ‘Worst Match of My Career’—Vows to Bounce Back Stronger

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka didn’t hold back after her shocking first-round exit at Indian Wells, describing her performance as the “worst match” of her career. The four-time Grand Slam champion fell to Colombia’s Camila Osorio in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in what was her first match since retiring from the Australian Open due to injury.

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Osaka, visibly frustrated, apologized to her fans and pointed to a lack of preparation as a key factor in her struggles. “This was the worst match I have ever played,” she admitted. “I didn’t have enough practice time coming into this, especially with my serve, and it showed.”

For Osorio, the victory was a historic moment. She became the first Colombian woman to defeat a former World No. 1 on the WTA Tour and notched her first-ever win at Indian Wells. The win sets up a second-round clash with Clara Tauson, as Osorio continues to make her mark on the tournament.

Despite the disappointing loss, Osaka remains determined to turn things around. Her focus now shifts to the Miami Open, which begins on March 16, where she is the defending champion. The Japanese star has been working to rebuild her career since returning from maternity leave last year, and while setbacks like this are tough, she has emphasized the importance of patience in her comeback journey.

**Inside the Baseline…**
Osaka’s candidness about her performance is both refreshing and revealing. It highlights the mental and physical challenges of returning to top form after time away from the sport. Matches like this, where nothing seems to click, can be devastating, but Osaka has proven time and again that she has the resilience to bounce back.

The question now is how she responds to this setback. Will she use it as motivation to push harder, or will it weigh on her confidence as she heads into Miami? One thing is certain: Osaka’s journey back to the top is far from over, and her ability to reset and refocus will define the next chapter of her season.