"She crushed me when I had my best outfit ever" - Naomi Osaka reveals what she thinks after 'revenge' on Karolina Muchova in Australian Open 2R

Naomi Osaka sought her revenge against Karolina Muchova at the 2025 Australian Open. In her on-court interview, the former World No. 1 revealed how she felt after being “crushed” by her opponent at last year’s US Open.

Osaka staged a marvelous comeback victory in the second round of the Melbourne Major on Wednesday, January 15. The two-time tournament champion was allowed just one game by Karolina Muchova in the opening set. She rose from the ashes in the next two sets to seal the win 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

This was Naomi Osaka’s second win against the Czech in their four-match rivalry. Their previous meeting came in the second round of the 2024 US Open. Here, Muchova prevailed in straight sets and went on to make the semifinals.

In her on-court interview at the Australian Open, Osaka revealed that she was “mad” about her US Open loss to the opponent, considering she had taken the court in her “best outfit ever.” The four-time Grand Slam champion wore a larger-than-life ensemble in New York designed by Tokyo-based designer Yoon Ahn.

"Man, it means a lot. She’s an incredibly difficult opponent for me to play," Osaka said. "She crushed me in the US Open when I had my best outfit ever. I was so disappointed. I was so mad."

Osaka called the Melbourne victory her “little revenge” for the previous defeat. The 27-year-old insisted that seeking revenge is a good thing in a competitive setting.

"I mean, this was my little revenge," she said. "It’s not a bad thing. Revenge is competitive, you guys! But yeah it means a lot because she is one of the toughest opponents out there."

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Naomi Osaka on her Australian Open rollercoaster against Karolina Muchova: "It took everything"

Naomi Osaka (R) pictured with Karolina Muchova at the 2024 US Open - Image Source: Getty

Naomi Osaka was pleased to cross the finish line, having drawn a tough opponent like Karolina Muchova as early as the second round. This is the first time she’s reached the third round of a Grand Slam after her maternity break.

"Honestly, it took everything. I felt like I left everything I had on the court," Osaka said in the aforementioned interview.

The former World No. 1 was delighted to be back to winning ways in Melbourne—where she won the titles in 2019 and 2021.

"It was so fun to play in front of you guys. Last year was really tough for me. I felt like I could have done better," Naomi Osaka said. "Just to be back on these courts playing in front of you guys – it really makes my whole year."

In 2024, Osaka suffered an opening-round defeat to Caroline Garcia in the first round. She avenged the loss during their repeat match on Monday. The Japanese, who recently made her first tour-level final in three years at the ASB Classic, is set to face Belinda Bencic for a spot in the fourth round on Friday.