Naomi Osaka admits hitting a ball ‘doesn’t really mean anything’ after French Open loss

Naomi Osaka has made a habit of making headlines with her comments inside the media center at various Grand Slam stops over the years, and this year’s French Open was no different.

The four-time Grand Slam winner lost in straight sets to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (5-7, 3-6) in the fourth round of Roland Garros, which has become a familiar situation for Osaka in her career. The 28-year-old has a 1-3 record against the Belarusian all-time, with all three of her losses coming in 2026.

While answering questions from the media following her fourth-round exit in France, Osaka was asked if she could take any encouragement from the loss or if she feels daunted by the challenge of closing the gap between herself and Sabalenka.

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The question was a little strange, as the thought of being encouraged after a third straight loss to the same opponent would be unique, but the question was not nearly as strange as the answer Osaka went on to give.

“I don’t know if you knew me before, but I would be very, very disappointed in myself after matches like these. But I kind of realized that it doesn’t matter,” Osaka began.

“I’ve played against her several times, and unfortunately I have to say lost several times. All I can do is keep doing my best. Maybe, hopefully, it will work out in my favor one day. But I can’t get discouraged every time I lose to somebody or win against somebody. Because honestly, hitting a ball like on Earth doesn’t really mean anything.”

It doesn’t get more uninspiring than that.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus against Naomi Osaka of Japan during day nine of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2026 in Paris, France. (Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

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For a four-time Slam winner and former world No. 1 herself, Osaka is shockingly admitting out loud that “hitting a ball doesn’t matter”.

Naomi Osaka of Japan serves a backhand against Aryna Sabalenka during day nine of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2026 in Paris, France. (Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Imagine the level of criticism an NBA superstar would receive if they said “shooting a basketball doesn’t really matter” after a loss, or an NFL quarterback suggested “throwing a football doesn’t really matter” after a crushing defeat.

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However, Osaka continues to be given the benefit of the doubt by many in the tennis world despite pulling out of the 2021 French Open because the media pressure was apparently too much for her to handle. She also cried in the media center at Roland Garros a year ago after her exit in the first round.