(Photo credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is not inclined to “hang around” in skilled tennis if her outcomes aren’t on par together with her expectations.
Osaka, 27, is getting back from a two-month absence because of a again damage, taking part in on the ASB Classic. The Japanese star will sq. off towards Lina Glushko of Israel on Monday in Auckland, New Zealand.
Osaka admitted to being “humbled” by her play in 2024. The former world No. 1 returned to skilled tennis after an virtually 15-month break for the delivery of her first baby, daughter Shai.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” mentioned Osaka, who gained 22 of 40 singles matches in 2024 to complete the season ranked 58th on this planet.
“I’ve loads of respect for all of the gamers on tour, however the level of my life that I’m at proper now, if I’m not above a sure rating, I do not see myself taking part in for some time.
“I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
Osaka, who has been open about her struggles with psychological well being, gained the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3, and a huge part of that I owe to my parents, but I never really saw my life doing anything else,” Osaka mentioned Sunday. “Then, after I sat there and had the chance to do different issues, I spotted that I’d reasonably be taking part in tennis.
“So it was kind of one of those realization moments where you feel like you thought you were forced to do something, but in actuality you very much truly loved it.”
–Field Level Media