Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said on Sunday she still has a “deep love” for tennis and is excited about next season, believing she can regain her former glory.
The Japanese 27-year-old has struggled for consistency since returning to the court in January this year following the birth of daughter Shai in July 2023.
Her best results since then have been two quarter-final appearances, which Osaka said were “very painful”.
“I think 2024 has humbled me, but I also think I’ve grown a lot,” she said at the Auckland Classic. She is using this tournament as a springboard to the Australian Open Grand Slam, which she won in 2019 and 2021.
“It’s been tough trying to work much harder than I have in the past and not getting the results I wanted, but I feel like I’m growing and learning and I’m really looking forward to this year. I had a really good game (in 2024),” she added.
Her season was interrupted by injury in October after just one tournament under Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, best known as Serena Williams’ longtime coach.
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Osaka, currently ranked 58th, said she has a lot to look forward to and that the fire for success is still burning within her.
“I think what keeps me going in tennis is getting on the court and learning something new every day. And obviously I’m a very competitive person, winning tournaments, winning matches, winning world championships. I love playing against the best players and seeing what I can accomplish,” she said.
When asked if she still had the energy to return to the top, Osaka said:
“A year or two ago, I didn’t know if I wanted to play again. I think it was a whirlwind for me, when people first found out about me, and I didn’t have time to catch my breath. I think spending time with her and having my daughter gave me the opportunity to understand that I have a deep love for tennis and that I would love to see how far it can go,” Osaka said. spoke.
However, Osaka warned that she is not the kind of player who can play indefinitely unless results are achieved.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player to hang around,” she said.
“I mean, I have a lot of respect for the other players on tour, but at this point in my life I don’t think I’m playing unless I’m above a certain ranking. “If I’m not where I think I should be, I want to spend time with my daughter, and I think I can do that,” she added.
