‘It’s impossible for Naomi Osaka to play without any fear as she is representing many top brands,’ feels Marion Bartoli


‘It’s impossible for Naomi Osaka to play without any fear as she is representing many top brands,’ feels Marion Bartoli

Marion Bartoli and Naomi Osaka

From the time Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez headlined the finals of the recently concluded 2021 US Open, the two teenagers have grabbed the headlines, across the world.

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Tennis experts and former players have also engaged in praising the two young girls for their amazing conduct and composure in New York. Recently, former WTA player Marion Bartoli too was involved in a chat with Tennis Majors.

While the Frenchwoman had little hesitation in praising the achievements of Raducanu and Fernandez, she also emphasised on why the stakes and pressure is different for four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.

“First of all, it’s one thing to come out and play when you have absolutely nothing to lose,” Bartoli explained. “It’s another thing when you win four Grand Slams, $55 million in endorsements a year and you have to prove and feel like you deserve that every single time you play a tennis match.”

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“It’s a total different way to approach a tennis match. And as much as it is easy to say ‘Oh just play tennis like you were when you were 16 or 17 and innocent – it’s impossible to be that way again for Naomi.”

The 2013 Wimbledon champion also added that the Japanese girl is representing several big brands, due to which she is always hounded with expectations and anything less than winning will add to the disappointment and pressure.

“It’s literally impossible. When you represent so much and you are the face of so many brands, very prestigious brands, of course. When you step on the court the only thing that is going to make you happy is to win,” Bartoli concluded.

Osaka drops to World No.8

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka

Although 2021 started on a promising note for Osaka, her problems mounted in the lead up to the French Open. Thereafter, the 23-year-old has consistently been missing marquee events, due to which her rankings has slipped to No.8 on the WTA charts.

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Furthermore, Osaka announced that she would be taking an indefinite break from the game, which could result in a further slide. At the moment though, it remains unclear on when and where a beleaguered Osaka will return to the tour.

Also read: “The goal is to play Laver Cup 2022 in London” Roger Federer not ready to hang his boots