Naomi Osaka: I rediscovered my love of tennis

Naomi Osaka

On Tuesday local time, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka opened the new season with a 6-4/ 3-6/6-3 victory over French adept Konette in the first round of the WTA250 Summer Series 1 women's singles. This is also the first time that Naomi Osaka has returned to the field since last year's US Open, and the japanese celebrity who has been absent for a long time has said in a post-match interview that he is happy to return to the tour life.

'To be honest, I thought I wouldn't play too many games this season. Naomi Osaka said, "I said at the end of the US Open that I wasn't sure when I would return to the court, and now that I'm here, I'm happy to sit here because it stems from my love of tennis. During these days away from the arena, I felt that my future was full of uncertainty, and I think many people may feel similar. Of course, everyone can't predict the future, but it's normal to feel like this in such a time of uncertainty. ”

Talking about her goals for the 2022 season, Naomi Osaka said that she has nothing to do with the championship or the ranking: "I hope that every time I step on the field, I can feel that it is interesting. Even if I lose the game, I have to know that I am giving my all. In addition, I also have a goal in the media interview room, that is, not to cry during the interview, I hope that everything will be as I wish. ”

"I've always been the kind of person who cares a lot about results and rankings, so all I have to do is enjoy tennis again, because that's what I pick up my racket in the first place. I've been involved in tennis since I was three years old and have never given up ever since. Sometimes I am reminded of what my original intention was to play tennis, which is good for me. ”

Naomi Osaka said that after increasing communication with family and friends, she had the idea of returning to the field: "I have always been a relatively introverted person, which may have something to do with my upbringing. I didn't have many friends, so I didn't talk much to people at first. During the offseason, I stayed with my family and friends, which released me a lot of stress, and then I slowly regained my love of tennis. Of course, my love of tennis has not disappeared, but I have been affected by the various complex emotions accumulated over the years. ”

Talking about her experience after the US Open, Naomi Osaka said: "I originally wanted to travel, but during the epidemic I gave up. I would stay at home or visit friends, which was a rare life I had before. ”

Being able to return to the field at the beginning of the season, Naomi Osaka said that this was inseparable from the support of the team: "My team is like my family, and I am grateful to them for continuing to choose to work with me. ”

(Text, Editor/Faye Wong, Photo/Visual China)