WELLINGTON, New Zealand — 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she will not “grasp round” in tennis if her outcomes fail to match her excessive expectations.
The 27-year-old Japanese participant will play her first match since she suffered a again damage within the China Open in October on the ASB tennis basic in Auckland on Monday.
Osaka advised a pre-tournament information convention in Auckland on Sunday she was “humbled” by her type in 2024 through which she picked up her skilled profession after an nearly 15 month break for the start of her first baby. She ended the season ranked 58.
“I do not assume I am the kind of participant that might grasp round,” Osaka advised reporters. “I’ve numerous respect for all of the gamers on tour, however the level of my life that I am at proper now, if I am not above a sure rating, I do not see myself enjoying for some time.
“I might reasonably spend time with my daughter if I am not the place I feel I needs to be and the place I really feel like I may be.”
Osaka had a 22-17 win-loss singles report in 2024, reaching the quarterfinals at Doha and at s-Hertogenbosch within the Netherlands.
“I feel 2024 humbled me, however I additionally really feel like I grew rather a lot,” she stated. “I labored method more durable than I’ve ever labored earlier than. So in that, I suppose it was very painful to not get the outcomes I wished, however I really feel like I am rising and studying and I’m actually excited for this 12 months (2025).
“I performed actually good matches. Folks nonetheless discuss to me about my Iga (Swiatek) match on the French Open (misplaced 7-6 1-6 7-5). So I am glad that I used to be capable of give individuals reminiscences as effectively.
“Despite the fact that I acquired injured in Beijing, which was my final match, I really feel fairly optimistic about how that match would have turned out (in opposition to Coco Gauff) and I’m excited to play on hardcourt once more.”
Osaka received the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020. She says she nonetheless has a deep love for tennis, regardless of latest damage setbacks.
“I have been enjoying tennis since I used to be three, and an enormous a part of that I owe to my mother and father, however I by no means actually noticed my life doing anything,” she stated. “Then, once I sat there and had the chance to do different issues, I noticed that I might reasonably be enjoying tennis.
“So it was form of a type of realization moments the place you’re feeling such as you thought you had been pressured to do one thing, however if truth be told you very a lot actually beloved it.”
Osaka will play Lina Glushko of Israel within the first spherical of the ASB Traditional.
