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Naomi Osaka had another crying episode on the court, but this time, she shed happy tears.
Osaka was brought to tears Thursday after she clinched a spot in the Miami Open Final with a 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 win against Swiss player Belinda Bencic in the semifinal.
“Damn, I’m always crying, but this tournament means a lot to me,” Osaka said after the match.
The emotional moment marked the first time Osaka earned a ticket to the final in her native Miami Open tournament. It was also an extra special triumph for Osaka, who had not earned a seat in a final since the 2021 Australian Open. Previously, she had fallen to Bencic three times.
“I didn’t feel like I figured her out at all and somehow I managed to win,” Osaka said about her opponent. “She’s an amazing player. I wish I had her return.”
She went on to thank “everyone,” and complimented the “really good atmosphere” at Hard Rock Stadium.
After the match, Osaka tweeted, “Man idk what’s going on but I’m just so grateful right now. Cheers to the ups and downs of life for making me appreciate this moment even more. We’re back in a final, see you on Saturday.”
Just days ago, Osaka opened up to reporters about her decision to “finally” seek therapy, following a heckling incident at Indian Wells earlier this month.
Osaka entered the Miami Open after reaching a low point at Indian Wells, when a fan yelled “Naomi, you suck!” during her match against Veronika Kudermetova on March 12. She addressed the incident in a tearful speech after she fell to the Russian in two straight sets, ending her run at Indian Wells.
Four days later, Osaka tweeted an encouraging message about her mental health, writing, “Very proud of myself for reaching a point in my life that despite the lows, I would still rather be myself than anyone else.”
The tennis star has been candid about her struggles with mental health. She skipped Wimbledon last July, saying at the time that she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first Grand Slam title in 2018.
Osaka, 24, will compete in the Miami Open Final Saturday, and will face new world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland.
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