Naomi Osaka opens up on how Serena Williams and Li Na inspired her to not retire at the age of 32 following different setbacks

The four-time Grand Slam title winner gets candid ahead of her return to action at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open.

Naomi Osaka opens up on how Serena Williams and Li Na inspired her to not retire at the age of 32 following different setbacks

Naomi Osaka, Li Na and Serena Williams (Credits: The New York Times, China Daily)

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka is back on the Tour hoping to make a good comeback. She had skipped the entire 2023 season due to her pregnancy. In 2022, she had to end her season in September itself due to another bout with injuries.

She made her 2024 season debut in Brisbane winning the tie in straight-sets against Tamara Korpatsch. She however lost in three-sets to Karolina Pliskova in the second round. She next featured at the 2024 Australian Open. But the two-time former champ lost in straight-sets to Caroline Garcia in the first round itself.

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As she returns to action at the 2024 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the Japanese opened up on various topics during her long interaction with The National News. One of the aspects she touched upon was her retirement.

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The four-time Grand Slam title winner has had a tough couple of seasons on the Tour. Following her mental health incident at the French Open, she was absent from the Tour for quite a while. In 2022, she was marred with injuries before missing the 2023 season entirely.

In such difficult times, it is natural for players to think of retirement. But Osaka has a new hope and ambition to extend her career and the credit goes to Serena Williams and Li Na. 

You know what’s weird? Maybe a couple of years ago, I really couldn’t imagine myself playing past like 32. But I think now, coming back, I realise how important role models are in tennis and how lucky I am to have played Serena.
said Osaka speaking with The National News.
I wish I could have played Li Na, because she’s my other role model that I loved growing up. But just to have those figureheads still in the game when you’re coming up is really cool. I feel like that’s something I would want to, I guess, be on the other end of, towards the tail-end of my career.
added the Japanese superstar.

Naomi Osaka to feature in both singles and doubles in Abu Dhabi

Osaka is currently ranked 757th in the world. She is in the main-draw of singles owing to a wildcard from the organizers. Having won both the Australian Open and the US Open twice, she has a strong portfolio to be considered for a wildcard.

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Via Canberra Times)

But to the surprise of many, the former World No. 1 will also be taking part in the doubles. She has teamed up with Tunisian star Ons Jabeur. The pair is the only wildcard entrant of the draw.

The two ladies have become good friends lately owing to their shared business ventures and will be a treat for fans to see them together. In singles, Osaka will take on Danielle Collins in the first round. As for Jabeur, she received a bye in the first round due to being seeded second.

She will now take on young sensation Emma Raducanu in the second round. In doubles, Osaka and Jabeur will lock horns against the all-Chinese pair of Xinyu Wang and Saisai Zheng.

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