Net profit: Camila Osorio testing new tactics at US Open

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NEW YORK—It’s been a few years since Camila Osorio lifted the US Open trophy as a junior, but the 20-year-old from Colombia still gets flashbacks of that historic moment in 2019.

“Even when I was warming up,” she told press after her first-round victory on Monday, “I was thinking ‘In 2019, I was playing right here’ and thinking of the whole process and all the hard work that we’ve been doing.

“I’ve been taking the results as evidence that we’re doing the right things.”

Those results include a breakout 2021 season which saw her win her first WTA title on home soil in Bogota, and a final in Monterrey this year—peaking at No. 33 in the rankings in April as a result.

But with her red-hot momentum threatening to cool off—Osorio has recently dropped to No. 70— she has brought on a new voice in her coaching box to take her back to her best, and beyond.

Coach Romain Deridder was first spotted in the Osorio camp in Washington D.C.. The Frenchman previously worked with Leylah Fernandez during her run to last year’s US Open final, and recently with Amanda Anisimova.

“We’re still testing things out,” Osorio said of the partnership, speaking after her 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Ann Li. “It’s only been a few weeks, so I think it’s going to take a little bit longer to see the results, but I’m not hung up on that…”

Part of their work involves encouraging Osorio to play more aggressively, and take her opportunities to move up the court and close out points at the net.

It’s not a natural strategy for the Colombian, who grew up playing on clay. But she’s been willing to give it a shot, and found that she’s actually enjoying mixing things up on court.

“Last week he wanted me to get up to the net more. It's not something that I’m used to doing, but I tried it and I did it. I made a few errors and all that, but it’s something different and I’ve enjoyed it.

“So now I try to, whenever I have a chance, to get up to the net more often and move forward into the court.”

Only time will tell if Osorio’s new net-rushing mentality will pay off. In Washington D.C., she scored a straight-sets win over former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, but went winless in Cincinnati and Cleveland.

But back on the courts where she registered the biggest win of her young career—becoming the first Colombian to win the girls' single title at the US Open—Osorio is staying patient as she puts in the work to continue her climb back to the top.

“Since 2019, there has been so much that’s happened, and of course, I think I’ve grown and improved a great deal as well,” Osorio said.

“I still have a lot to improve and more work to do, but I feel proud and happy that I’m making my own history.”

Osorio will face American No. 29 seed Alison Riske in the second round; it will be their first meeting.