Hailey Baptiste still on the rise despite US Open defeat to Naomi Osaka

NEW YORK—Naomi Osaka knew she had to be ready for her second-round match at the 2025 US Open.

The two-time champion was set to face Hailey Baptiste, a rising American star who had twice taken Osaka to three sets this season, most recently at the Miami Open in March.

“I think she's an incredible player,” Osaka said on Thursday. “She's someone that's very dangerous. For me, a player that can kind of hit any ball from any part of the court. That's kind of why I told myself I had to focus really hard today.”

In the wake of a 6-3, 6-1 loss, that praise was hardly consolation for Baptiste, who was aiming to pull off one of the first big upsets of the Open on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“I was super excited to play the match,” Baptiste said in her post-match press conference. “We’ve had a couple good battles before. I knew what to expect going in, playing her.

“Obviously on my side, I didn’t play my best tennis today, so it’s tough to compete at that level when you can’t find the court. I approached it like any other match even though it’s a big name and a big court. It was just another match. I just couldn’t get it done today.”

At 23 years old, Bapstiste has enjoyed a breakthrough year, reaching the fourth round of Roland Garros and the third round of Wimbledon to earn a Top 50 debut in the WTA rankings.

“I’ve always loved sports, all sports growing up,” Baptiste said on Breaking Through with Ayan Broomfield. (🖥️📱 Click here to stream the full episode)

“My mom’s side of the family, her siblings were all competitive swimmers. My dad played basketball growing up. I’ve always loved being active, playing whatever sport I can, competing any way I can.”

Broomfield’s longtime partner, Frances Tiafoe, is a fellow DMV native who grew up playing junior tennis with Baptiste, calling her his “lil sis” at the Mubadala Citi DC Open earlier this summer—where Hailey paired up in doubles alongside childhood idol Venus Williams. The Washington, D.C. born-Baptiste has quickly become a fan favorite due to her all-court game and jaw-dropping athleticism, the likes of which helped her win a first main-draw match at the Open earlier this week over Katerina Siniakova.

“Definitely she's really good at slicing, dropshotting and coming to the net,” Osaka said. “And I was aware of that. So, I didn't want to give her any short balls, because honestly, she could run around and hit a really good forehand winner or she could just come to the net.”

“I feel like I have a lot of tools in my box,” agreed Baptiste later. “It’s been a challenge in my early years of playing to put everything together. It’s something I’ve started to do better, but obviously still need a lot of work.”

Osaka has been doing her own work in trying to rise back up the rankings following her 2023 maternity leave. In her eighth major appearance since giving birth to daughter Shai, the former world No. 1 is seeded at a major tournament for the first time and into the third round—carrying momentum from a runner-up finish in Montreal earlier this month.

I feel like I have a lot of tools in my box. It’s been a challenge in my early years of playing to put everything together. It’s something I’ve started to do better, but obviously still need a lot of work. Hailey Baptiste

“I mean, obviously I'm sure she's a little disappointed about how, this is the US Open and she's American,” Osaka said, “but I'm sure she's going to have a lot more really good runs.”

Baptiste still has a shot to make a deep run in Flushing Meadows, partnering fellow American Whitney Osuigwe in women’s doubles at a tournament celebrating the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson becoming the first Black player to compete in major tennis.

“It’s amazing that she was able to create this path for so many Black females: Venus and Serena, to me, Coco. Coming from D.C., there’s Clervie [Ngounoue], Robin [Montgomery],” said Baptiste. “Without that trailblazer, we wouldn’t be here today.”