Most players dread facing the world’s top seeds. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, however, sees them as the only acceptable losses. The four‑time Grand Slam champion has opened up about why she doesn't feel bad about losing to Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek and why she’d rather lose to the world No. 1 than anyone else.

After defeating Australian player Daria Kasatkina 6‑1, 6‑3 on Friday, July 3, Osaka was asked in the press conference if she would like to play a person she had recently lost to, to which Osaka answered swiftly.

"I think from my end, I don't mind playing someone recently. Like, even if I look at my results, I have only lost to, like, her (Sabalenka) and Iga for, like, the past couple of months. So, hey, a win is a win. Like, I'll take that," Osaka said as a part of her press conference was shared on X by 'The Tennis Letter'.

"Um, and also she's the number one player in the world. So, if there is someone that I had to lose to, I would pick that ranking position. And if anything, I would say I learned from all of those matches. So hopefully I can apply it if I do play her," she added during the press conference.

Osaka’s recent record backs up her point. She fell to Świątek at the 2026 Italian Open 6‑2, 6‑1, and has lost three times to Sabalenka this year, all in the Round of 16.

Those defeats came at the BNP Paribas Open (6‑2, 6‑4), the Madrid Open (6‑7(1), 6‑3, 6‑2), and the French Open (7‑5, 6‑3).

Now, after beating Kasatkina, she will face the player that she would pick as her opponent, Sabalenka. Her opponent, though, had great things to say about her outfit lately.

Aryna Sabalenka Praises Naomi Osaka’s Style Ahead of Round of 16 Clash

Sabalenka has been impressed not only with Osaka’s game but also her fashion. During Osaka’s opening‑round match on June 29, she wore a fully embroidered white kimono, an outfit that drew attention across Wimbledon, including Sabalenka.

"That’s amazing," Sabalenka said on Osaka's on-court fashion in the press conference.

"Every time she’s willing to bring something new and different. It’s cool to see. I actually really love her on-court dress. I’d say, in my personal opinion, it’s one of her best outfits in the last couple of Grand Slams. I love it. It’s cool."

Sabalenka’s praise underscores Osaka’s reputation for creative on‑court fashion. Earlier this year, Osaka wore a sea‑green jellyfish‑inspired outfit with a parasol at the Australian Open and a glittering gold dress at Roland Garros.

But Sabalenka is just as focused on their upcoming match.

After beating Latvian Jeļena Ostapenko 6‑4, 6‑4 on July 3, she spoke about Osaka as her next opponent.

"We’ve played several times this year," Sabalenka said. "Always been a battle, always been a tricky match. She’s a very aggressive player, serving well. I watched a couple of her matches. But I’m ready to go out there and bring the fight and to do anything it takes to get through this difficult match."

Osaka will face Sabalenka on Sunday, July 5, in the Round of 16.

Osaka has tasted defeat every time against Sabalenka in 2026; will she turn the tables this time around? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas