Naomi Osaka Finds Motivation Ahead of Australian Open
Naomi Osaka reveals her motivation to regain top form in tennis, driven by her 'deep love' for the sport.
Despite struggling to regain her consistency since returning to competition in January 2024, following the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023, the 27-year-old Japanese tennis star remains optimistic about her prospects for the new season. Osaka is confident that she can recapture her former glory and achieve success in the upcoming tournaments.
Naomi Osaka's return to tennis in 2024 has been marked by a struggle to regain her top form, with her best results being two quarter-final appearances. Osaka described these outcomes as “very painful,” indicating her high expectations and disappointment at not achieving better results.
Reflecting on her experiences in 2024, Osaka acknowledged that the year had a profound impact on her. “I think 2024 humbled me, but I think I also grew a lot,” she said during the Auckland Classic, a tournament she is using as preparation for the Australian Open. Osaka expressed her dedication to intense training, stating, “I worked way harder than I ever have before and it was very painful to not get the results I wanted, but I feel like I am growing and learning.” Despite the challenges, Osaka is optimistic about the upcoming season. “And I'm really excited for this year. I played some really good matches (in 2024),” she added, highlighting her positive outlook.
Naomi Osaka's 2024 season was cut short in October due to an injury, which occurred after just one tournament under the guidance of her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Mouratoglou, a Frenchman, is well-known for his successful partnership with Serena Williams. Despite her current ranking of 58, Osaka expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, indicating that her passion for tennis remains strong.
Osaka revealed that her motivation to continue playing tennis stems from her love for learning and competition. “What keeps me going in tennis is, I guess, stepping on the court and learning something new every day,” she said. Additionally, Osaka's competitive spirit remains intact, as she confessed, “And obviously I'm really competitive, I love to win tournaments, to win matches, to play the best players in the world and see what I can achieve.”
When asked if she still has the drive to reclaim her position at the top of the tennis world, Osaka responded affirmatively. “Yeah, definitely,” she said. Osaka reflected on her past doubts about continuing her tennis career, stating, “A year to two back I didn't know whether I wanted to play again, I feel like for me, since the first time people knew about me, it was such a fast whirlwind I didn't really have time to breathe.”
Naomi Osaka credited her time away from tennis, spent with her family and her daughter, as a pivotal factor in rekindling her passion for the sport. “And I think having time with my family and having my daughter gave me the space to understand that I have a deep love for tennis and that I would love to see where that could go,” Osaka reflected.
However, Osaka also emphasized that she is not willing to continue playing indefinitely if she fails to achieve the desired results. “I don't think I am the type of player that would hang around,” she cautioned. Osaka expressed her admiration for other players on the tour but made it clear that her priorities have shifted. “I mean I have a lot of respect for other players on tour, but the point of my life that I'm at right now, if I'm not above a certain ranking, I don't see myself playing.” Osaka's primary focus is now on her family, and she would rather devote her time to her daughter if she is not performing at the level she expects from herself. “I'd rather spend time with my daughter if I'm not where I think I should be and I think I can be,” she added.
No comments:
Leave comment here