Naomi Osaka wants to see the positive side of things despite having a difficult season that resulted in her elimination in the first round of the Olympics in Paris. This Japanese WTA star explains her new success goal while mentioning how she felt like a different person this year. She also hints at the benefits of having Shai in her life.
Osaka is getting ready for tomorrow’s Canadian Open match against Ons Jabeur. Before her big day, she shared an intriguing perspective on achievement at her most recent tour post-conference.
She talked about it and said: “Well, I would say when I was younger I defined success by winning tournaments, winning matches. I defined my worth a lot by whether I won or lost and now I would say for example I lost in the Olympics. I was of course really devastated but I don’t know I was just surrounded by my team and then I went back home and I saw my daughter and I don’t know she’s just happy to be alive. She’s happy that I’m her mom for some reason and it just gave me a lot I guess motivation.”
Osaka was unable to compete consistently in the Olympics in Paris. She was defeated by Angelique Kerber in the opening round, ending her hopes of competing in the Olympics this time. The Japanese tennis player’s defeat at the Paris Olympics must have been quite disheartening for her, considering that she has been through difficult times in her professional career since the Brisbane Open this season.
However, Osaka decided to keep her spirits up. Rather than complaining over her recent setbacks in her work life, she decided to focus on the positive aspects, using her daughter Shai as inspiration.
Now, Osaka previously talked about how her daughter inspires her to win. She added: “I felt, I don’t know like a part of me felt like Shai was watching me. I wanted to do my best for her.”
Naomi Osaka in 2024
Now the world no.95, the Japanese played her last match on the 27th of July when she was overcome by world no.212 Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Paris (draw).
Until now, during this year Osaka owns an overall 16-14 record.
Naomi Osaka will compete against Anna Danilina in the . They have never competed against each other up to now in top events.
The Japanese won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)