"More humble than Emma Raducanu", "Coco Gauff should try it" - Fans surprised as Naomi Osaka contests Cincinnati Open qualifiers for main draw entry

Naomi Osaka registered a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 win over Anna Blinkova in the first qualifying round of the 2024 Cincinnati Open on Sunday, August 11. The former World No. 1 was not given a wildcard entry into the WTA 1000 event, but nonetheless, she decided to play the qualifying rounds in a bid to reach the prestigious tournament's main draw. Surprised by Osaka's appearance in the qualifiers, fans poured in with their reactions.

The Japanese returned to action at the start of this season after missing out on almost the entirety of the previous season due to her maternity leave. Since making her comeback, the four-time Major winner has had an up-and-down ride, occasionally showing glimpses of her past brilliance.

Her most recent main-draw appearance came at the National Bank Open in Toronto, where she was ousted by Elise Mertens in the second round.

Right now, the Naomi Osaka is aiming to book her place in the main draw of the Cincinnati Open, where she finished as the runner-up in 2020, having lost to Victoria Azarenka at the final. The 26-year-old's three-set win over Anna Blinkova has helped her set up a clash against Ashlyn Krueger in the second qualifying round. If Osaka beats Krueger, she will make her way into the main draw.

In light of these developments, one set of fans on X (formerly Twitter) lauded Naomi Osaka for playing the qualifying rounds despite still being one of the most marketeable and influential women's tennis players.

"Good for Naomi for grinding. It worked for Andre Agassi. Maybe Coco Gauff should try it," a fan wrote, suggesting that World No. 2 Gauff is not putting in as much work into her game as Osaka is.

"Awesome that she doesn’t feel like she’s too good for qualies. Love it," commented another fan.

"This just made me so proud Naomi Osaka. Showing up and fighting in qualies on the HCs as a “HC specialist”, really shows how much you want it, I’m so so proud of you," another fan chimed in.

Another set of fans compared Osaka to Emma Raducanu, who has opted to skip the Cincinnati Open entirely after not being awarded a wildcard entry.

"More humble than Emma ouhhh don't make that face," wrote a fan.

"Emma Raducanu thinks qualifying is beneath her, so she’s back home in the UK. And yet, Naomi Osaka, a far superior player, is here, taking on the challenge," another fan commented.

"Mucho respect for Osaka for doing this. Raducanu take note! What a little diva she is still wouldn't do qualies," another fan weighed in.

Andy Roddick praised Naomi Osaka earlier this year despite the Japanese's struggles with maintaining consistency

Naomi Osaka (Source: Getty)

While the majority of Osaka's performances so far this year have been underwhelming, there has been no lack of effort from the former World No. 1's side in terms of trying to get back to her best as quickly as possible. If she makes it to the main draw of the Cincinnati Open, it would be her 15th WTA Tour-level event since her return to tennis.

In June this year, former ATP World No. 1 Andy Roddick heaped praise on Osaka over her aggressive scheduling, which, according to Roddick, was rare for her even when she was at her best.

"Listen, she's coming back. My favorite thing is that she's scheduling aggressively. She played last week, she played this week. She's never done that in her entire career or even when she was peak Osaka. And I think we're starting to see those moments of that high level from Naomi. Obviously, the errors are coming a little bit more often than they did when she was in her prime," Roddick told Tennis Channel.

Osaka is set to lock horns against Ashlyn Krueger on Monday, August 12, for a place in the Cincinnati Open women's singles main draw. It would mark the pair's very first meeting on the WTA Tour.