“I would play again if you guys don’t dislike me,” Naomi Osaka speaks about the time she took off from tennis!
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Naomi Osaka
World No. 13 Naomi Osaka is all set to return to action for the first time since her defeat at the 2021 US Open where she was the defending champion. The 2021 season was a difficult season for the Japanese superstar who was forced to reveal her mental health issues to the world and took time off from tennis.
Despite winning the 2021 Australian Open, her 4th major, limelight remained on her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open where she had earlier declared not to interact with the media for the course of the tournament but with rising criticism for such a statement, she quit the tournament before her 2nd round match at the Roland Garros.
Naomi was absent from the tour for almost 2 months before returning for the US Open Leg Series but could not find much success and decided to take an indefinite break from the sport after her US Open defeat to Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the 3rd round. As she prepares for the new season, Naomi revealed how did her coaching team supported her during the tough times.
“Shout out to my team. I really love them. They’re like my family. Of course, I took time off and they told me to let them know when I was ready. When I got bored enough at home I texted them and told them I would love to play again if you guys don’t dislike me too much,” said Osaka in her latest interaction with the WTA Insider.
Naomi Osaka makes a winning start to the 2022 season
Osaka returned to action at the 2022 Melbourne Summer Set 1 where she is the top seed. She was up against France’s Alize Cornet and went on to win the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a tight encounter. While Naomi struggled in the service game, she was the better player in the return game and with 94 points to Cornet’s 90, she won the match.
In the second round, Osaka will take on Maryna Zanevska with the Belgian player coming from a straight-set victory against Petra Martic.
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Sarthak Shitole
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