Tennis Champion Naomi Osaka Suggests Possible Departure if Performance Falls Below Desired Level
Tennis Champion Naomi Osaka Suggests Possible Departure if Performance Falls Below Desired Level
Naomi Osaka, previously ranked number 1 globally, expressed her intentions to retire from tennis if she fails to meet her personal standards.
Taking a 15-month break due to pregnancy in 2023, Osaka resumed her competitive career at the start of 2024, beginning with the Brisbane event in January, followed by the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tournament.
Unfortunately, Osaka's Australian Open debut resulted in a first-round elimination. She also faced early exits in the second round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and the first round at the Paris Olympics, as well as the second round at the U.S. Open. Her most impressive performance in 2024 was at Doha and 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, where she advanced to the quarterfinals in the WTA 1000 and 250 events, respectively.
Climbing to 57th in the WTA rankings, Osaka completed the year with a 22-17 win-loss record in singles matches.
"I'm not the type of player who would stick around," Osaka stated to reporters, according to the Associated Press. "If I'm not in the top tiers of the rankings, I don't see myself playing for a long time. I'd rather spend time with my daughter if I'm not where I should be and where I feel I can be."
Blessed with a daughter, Shai, in 2023, Osaka added the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Open titles and the 2019 and 2021 Australian Open crowns to her resume.
Anticipation for the New Year
Osaka commenced her 2025 campaign at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, where she triumphed against Israel's Lina Glushko in the Round of 32 with scores of 6-4, 6-4.
Competing in Auckland for the first time since her 2017 quarter-final run at the ASB Tennis Arena, Osaka shared her thoughts on her 2024 experience:
"2024 taught me humility while also facilitating my growth. I worked harder than ever before, and although the results weren't what I wanted, I believe I'm evolving and learning. I'm eager to kick off 2025."
Recalling her tightly contested second-round loss to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, she said, "People still bring up my match against Iga Swiatek at the French Open. I'm glad I could offer the spectators some unforgettable moments."
Returning to the court after a two-month absence due to a back injury gathered during the China Open, Osaka utilized the ASB Classic as a warm-up for the Australian Open, which commences in Melbourne on January 12.
"Though I sustained an injury during the China Open which was my last tournament, I'm feeling quite optimistic about how my match against Coco Gauff would have gone, and I'm eager to play on hard courts again," she concluded.
- Naomi Osaka, who won the Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021, begins her 2025 campaign at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
- In preparation for the Australian Open 2025, which starts on January 12 in Melbourne, Osaka uses the ASB Classic as a warm-up event after recovering from a back injury suffered during the China Open.
- Live coverage of Naomi Osaka's matches at the Australian Open 2025 can be found on various sports channels, offering fans an opportunity to witness the legendary tennis player in action.
- Despite facing early exits in major tournaments such as the Australian Open and the French Open in 2024, Osaka remains optimistic about her performance in the upcoming Australian Open, citing her win at the ASB Classic as a confidence booster.
- Naomi Osaka's 2025 record at the Australian Open includes a victory in the first round against Lina Glushko, with scores of 6-4, 6-4, setting the stage for potential success in the upcoming rounds of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament.