Naomi Osaka is gearing up for a remarkable return to competitive tennis, determined to achieve her ambitious goal of securing a fifth major title. Despite facing challenges, including an abdominal injury that forced her to retire from a recent match, Osaka remains optimistic about her future in the sport. She aims to triumph at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, seeking to complete her career grand slam.
Osaka's journey has not been without its hurdles. She has taken extended breaks from the sport, prioritizing her mental health and embracing motherhood with her daughter, Shai, whom she shares with rapper Cordae. However, she is excited about the upcoming tournament at Indian Wells, where she will meet Venus Williams, a player who inspired her to pursue tennis.
The former world No. 1 has shown promising performance lately, having reached the final of the Auckland WTA tournament in January. This marked a significant moment as it was her first final since returning from maternity leave 12 months ago. Despite her hiatus, Osaka has expressed enthusiasm about her game and aims to maintain this positive momentum.
Osaka is also set to compete against women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the MGM Rewards Slam in Las Vegas on March 1. While she has visited Las Vegas before, this will be her debut in the city as a professional tennis player.
Reflecting on her experience, Osaka stated, “What I’ve learned about myself is that I’m patiently impatient.” Her time away from the sport has taught her valuable lessons in patience and resilience. She added, “Becoming a mom, I’ve learned to become a lot more patient and sort of understand that I can’t control everything.” This mindset has helped her navigate the ups and downs of her athletic career.
Osaka has emphasized the importance of mental health throughout her journey. She expressed, “I feel like it’s really important to speak about mental health, because at least for me, when I’m down, I usually feel like I’m alone.” By sharing her experiences, she hopes to encourage others to recognize that they are not alone in their struggles.
Looking ahead, Osaka is focused on her goals. “I have a lot of goals going forward. For as long as I can play, I really want to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros (the French Open) and get a career grand slam,” she stated. This ambition drives her training and competition as she seeks to solidify her legacy in the sport.
Osaka also acknowledges the influence of her predecessors, particularly Venus Williams. “It makes me really excited to go to the tournament and see her,” she remarked. She recognizes the profound impact Williams has had on aspiring athletes. “She probably doesn’t know how many people she’s inspired because even she inspired me – and through me, there’s probably other kids that are inspired. So it keeps the legacy going.”
As she prepares for her upcoming matches, Osaka is eager to embrace the atmosphere of competitive tennis once again. “What I’m looking forward to the most is the atmosphere,” she noted about her Las Vegas appearance. The excitement of playing in new venues fuels her passion for returning to the court.
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