One of the most popular tennis players in recent years, Naomi Osaka, said she has a new perspective on tennis after taking a break from the sport last year and explained that her mental health has become a priority for her. And now she’s focused on “basically having fun” in WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open.
At one point, Naomi Osaka announced her temporary withdrawal from the court after accepting too emotionally the loss of Leylah Fernandez in the third round of the US Open 2021, and it was unclear when he would return to the court.
“I’ve learned to enjoy my time more”, said Naomi Osaka to the reporters just before her first-round match against Sloane Stephens. “This moment in my life where I play tennis is the moment I’ve been preparing for so far. When I’m 70, it’s probably just a little chapter in the whole book. So I have to enjoy it as much as I can in every tournament, I participate in “, added she
At the Australian Open this year, she was again eliminated in the third round – by Amanda Anisimova. But she said she felt much better than in previous years.
“I felt the difference in Australia. When I played my last game against Amanda, I left the court thinking I did my best and I just couldn’t score”, said Naomi Osaka.
She then explained that he has no intention of living with the past, but acknowledged how good it feels to return to Indian Wells – the WTA 1000 tournament, where he won his first title in 2018.
Her interruption for health reasons and the elimination of the Australian Open this winter sent the four-time Grand Slam champion well down the rankings. The 24-year-old Japanese tennis player is currently WTA No 78. And despite the strange place, it doesn’t weigh on her.
“I’m at peace with myself in this regard as well. I feel really good now. And I’m happy with that fact. When I qualify for some tournaments, people meet me and say, ‘Come on, win this tournament! Or I have tickets for the final, I’ll see you there, but now some people tell me: just have fun, and that’s a lot for me”, concluded Naomi Osaka.
Naomi Osaka is a former world’s No 1 and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. She is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion. Her seven titles on the WTA Tour also include two at the Premier Mandatory level.
