SME News Balkan. Naomi Osaka\u2019s inspiring run at the US Open came to an end on Thursday night as she fell 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-3 to Amanda Anisimova in a dramatic semi-final clash. The defeat denied the Japanese star a place in her first Grand Slam final since 2021 but also brought an emotional off-court moment when she was asked about a missed addition to her unique trophy collection.Osaka has been working with New York-based artist Kerin Rose Gold of A-Morir Studio, who designs custom Labubu figurines to celebrate each of her victories at the tournament. Every piece is tennis-inspired and tailored to Osaka\u2019s journey. But after the loss to Anisimova, the four-time Grand Slam champion revealed with a smile \u2013 and a touch of heartbreak \u2013 which Labubu she missed out on.> \u201cOh, don\u2019t make me cry, man. The most devastating question,\u201d Osaka said when asked about the figurine.\u201cI wanted to make one of myself in my outfit from last year \u2013 the green one with the bow. I\u2019m sick about it. Honestly, I\u2019m fine losing, but don\u2019t ask me about this Labubu. Yeah, it would have been me.\u201dInspired, Not SadDespite the end of her perfect record in Grand Slam semi-finals, Osaka said she was far from discouraged. In fact, the 26-year-old described her performance as a personal milestone following her return to tennis after giving birth.> \u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t feel sad,\u201d she admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s really weird\u2026 I just feel like I did the best that I could. Honestly, it\u2019s kind of inspiring for me, because it makes me want to train, try to get better, and give it my best shot again. I can\u2019t be mad or upset at myself.\u201dThe defeat marked Osaka\u2019s first appearance in the last four of a major since her 2021 Australian Open triumph and confirmed that she remains a major contender on the sport\u2019s biggest stages.Anisimova\u2019s Rise ContinuesAnisimova, 24, has now reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals after making the Wimbledon showpiece earlier this summer. Osaka praised the American\u2019s fearless, unpredictable style of play.> \u201cI kind of knew she\u2019s that type of player,\u201d Osaka said. \u201cThere\u2019s no pattern to what she\u2019s doing \u2013 she just hits to the open court, and it usually goes in. Obviously, she went to the Wimbledon final and now here, so it just shows she\u2019s a really good player.\u201dWhile Osaka heads home without another Labubu to add to her collection, her spirited performance and positive outlook suggest this will not be her last deep run at a major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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SME News Balkan. Naomi Osaka\u2019s inspiring run at the US Open came to an end on Thursday night as she fell 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-3 to Amanda Anisimova in a dramatic semi-final clash. The defeat denied the Japanese star a place in her first Grand Slam final since 2021 but also brought an emotional off-court moment…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennis"],"yoast_head":"\n