Naomi Osaka is poised to make her comeback at the Canadian Open in Toronto this week, where she will face a challenging first-round match against Ons Jabeur. As the former world No. 1 returns to competitive tennis, now ranked 95th in the world, she has been reflecting on her recent experiences and how they have influenced her game.
Facing Ons Jabeur in First Round:
Former world No. 1, now ranked 95th, tackles a tough opponent as she returns to competitive tennis.Facing Ons Jabeur in First Round: Osaka, who became a mother last summer, has opened up about the physical and emotional hurdles she faced post-pregnancy. She recounted moments of deep frustration while training at UCLA, feeling as though her body was not performing as expected. “I remember feeling like I was in a body suit that wasn’t working properly,” Osaka admitted. “Returning to competition now feels like a tremendous achievement.”
Inspired by Observations and Family:
In her recent match at the French Open, Osaka advanced to the second round with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Lucia Bronzetti. This marked her return to Parisian clay after a two-year absence. Osaka started strong, dominating the first set with her powerful serve and aggressive play. However, Bronzetti managed to bounce back, winning the second set and pushing the match to a deciding third set. The final set was a dramatic affair. Osaka initially took control, racing to a 4-0 lead. Yet, Bronzetti fought back, winning five consecutive games and putting Osaka in a precarious position where she had to serve to stay in the match. Demonstrating her resilience, Osaka regrouped and secured the final games to win the set 7-5. Her victory was a testament to her mental toughness and ability to adapt under pressure.Overcoming Physical and Emotional Hurdles: Osaka opens up about her struggles post-pregnancy and the journey to regain her form.
During the Paris Olympics, where she faced an early exit after losing to Angelique Kerber in the first round, Osaka took the opportunity to observe her peers, including the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. “I was observing Iga closely,” Osaka said. “Watching her practice was part of my effort to learn from top players. Swiatek’s footwork is exceptional, and I wanted to incorporate some of her techniques into my own game.” Osaka also shared some regrets about her Olympic experience. While she enjoyed the Games, she missed out on staying in the athlete village, which she feels would have offered a more immersive experience. Despite this, she looks forward to the next Olympics in Los Angeles, where the tennis events will be held on hard courts—her preferred surface. “Hard courts are my favorite,” Osaka remarked, comparing her return to this surface to the transformation of Sailor Moon in the Japanese manga series. “Stepping back onto hard courts, I felt like I was transforming into a more powerful version of myself.”
Overcoming Physical and Emotional Hurdles:
Looking ahead to the US Open, which starts on August 26, Osaka is eager to continue building on her progress. As a two-time Grand Slam champion and new mother, she approaches the tournament with a fresh perspective. “After the Olympics, I was devastated,” she reflected. “But being with my daughter and seeing her happiness gave me immense motivation. I’ve learned that there’s so much more to life beyond tennis, and that realization has made me appreciate the sport even more.”
With the Canadian Open and US Open on the horizon, Osaka is determined to leverage her experiences and insights to enhance her performance on the court.
