Naomi Osaka is now in Miami, where she is about to face Angelique Kerber in the second round. The Japanese sensation has been struggling with mental health issues associated with the considerable stress caused by playing professional tennis.
Last year Osaka had to abandon the French Open after refusing to attend press conferences. She played a small number of tournaments for the rest of the season. This year, Naomi had a rather uncharacteristic meltdown in Indian Wells after being heckled.
Naomi Osaka in therapy
Following her first-round win in Miami, Naomi revealed that after Indian Wells, she started therapy and she is quite happy about it.
Naomi revealed:
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but I finally started talking to a therapist after Indian Wells. It only took like a year after French Open. Yeah, I don’t know, she kind of like told me strategies and stuff. I realize how helpful it is.”
Osaka in Miami, ranking, and results in 2022
Currently ranked no.77, the Japanese has managed to achieve an overall 7-2 match record in 2022. The Japanese is now playing in Miami where she beat Astra Sharma 6-3 6-4.
Naomi Osaka will play the world no.15 Angelique Kerber in the 2nd round. Their current record is 4-1 for Kerber.
Naomi won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Angelique Kerber in 2022
Ranked world no.15, the German played her last match on the 15th of March when she surrendered to world no.2 Iga Swiatek 4-6 6-2 6-3 in the 4th round in Indian Wells (draw).
At present, during this year Angelique owns an overall 2-3 match record.
Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber squared off 5 times. Their actual head to head record is 4-1 for Kerber. Previously, the last time they squared off, Angelique Kerber won 6-4 5-7 6-4 in the round robin in Singapore (WTA Finals) in October 2018.
Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber |
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