“I need to learn how to win again,” Naomi Osaka makes honest confession after bowing out of Paris Olympics
Since her return to tennis, things have not been great on the court for the former World No.1, for she has been suffering defeats without making any major impact.
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Naomi Osaka (Image via Imago)
Naomi Osaka did not have a campaign she expected when she arrived in Paris for her second appearance at the Olympics. She was up against Germany’s Angelique Kerber who knocked out the Japanese in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.
Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion and was ruling the WTA circuit when her frequent battle with mental health problems caused her to take indefinite breaks, plus the arrival of her daughter Shai meant she took maternity leave and remained on the sidelines for more months before she finally made her return at the Grand Slam event at the 2024 Australian Open.
But since that return, things have not been great on the court for the former World No.1, for she has been suffering defeats without making any major impact. Osaka admitted that she has forgotten how to win and believes matches against tough opponents can help her regain her form.
I felt more pressure in Tokyo – I honestly felt like I could have done better today. I guess I need to learn how to win again. Maybe that’s something I forgot how to do. Maybe I have to keep playing matches against perfect players to relearn that.Naomi Osaka said at the press conference
Osaka was born in Japan and moved to the United States when she was three. Her father is Japanese, while her mother is from Haiti. So when she played in front of her home fans at the Tokyo Olympics, the pressure was immense.
Osaka’s best performance this year came in the second round of the French Open when she gave a tough competition to World No.1 Iga Swiatek. The Pole, who later went on to win her fourth title at the Roland Garros, was on the verge of losing before winning it with a scoreline of 7-6(7-1), 1-6, 7-5.
Naomi Osaka admits she suffered from leg pain during the match
Naomi Osaka revealed that she took a painkiller to subdue the pain in her leg. She is only hoping that this pain doesn’t end up causing a major problem.
I don't know, because I took a painkiller, so when it wears off, I'll let you know. It felt like I hyperextended a little bit.Naomi Osaka told the press
Osaka made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She played just singles and got knocked out of it by 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third round.
On the other hand, 36-year-old Angelique Kerber, who has won three Grand Slam titles, has confirmed that this Olympics will be her last after which she will retire. The former World No.1 from Germany has already won a medal (silver) in singles in the Rio Games in 2016. While in doubles, she could only made it to the first round of the 2012 London Olympics.
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Gouri Das
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