Naomi Osaka during a practice session ahead of the ASB Classic. Photo / Photosport
Naomi Osaka during a practice session ahead of the ASB Classic. Photo / Photosport
Naomi Osaka is back in love with tennis – and believes she can return to the top of the sport.
The Japanese superstar, who will start her 2025 season at the ASB Classic on Monday, seems refreshed, positive, confident, and comfortable.
It hasn’t always been that way for the 27-year-old, who has endured a rollercoaster few years.
She had a blazing start to her career, with astonishing grand slam success, world No 1 status and instant global fame, thanks to her unique story and captivating personality.
But the next few chapters were difficult, with well-publicised mental health issues, as she struggled with the demands of the sport and the public profile that went with it.
There were dips in form and also criticism of her vocal activism on various issues, especially around police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. It added up to a whole lot of pressure and Osaka seriously considered hanging up the racket for good.
“A year or two back I didn’t know whether I wanted to play again,” admitted Osaka. “I feel for me, since the first time people knew about me, maybe [2018] Indian Wells or the first US Open title ... it was such a fast whirlwind I didn’t have time to breathe.”
There were deep reflections, as she considered what might be next.
“I have been playing tennis since I was 3 – I never really saw my life doing anything else,” said Osaka.
“Then when I had the opportunity to do other things I realised that I would rather be playing tennis. It was one of those realisation moments; you thought you were forced to do something but in reality you very much truly loved it.”
The arrival of daughter Shai in July 2023 was the biggest transformative moment. While being a mother has changed her priorities, it also emboldened her to return to the court, to inspire her child.
Her comeback – after a 15-month sabbatical – started in January. It wasn’t smooth sailing – Osaka described this year as a “humbling” experience but she made a considerable leap nonetheless, from being an unranked player to No 58. There were hints that the magic was returning – especially in the three-set epic against Iga Swiatek at the French Open – even if the statement results didn’t come.
“[This year] humbled me but I also feel like I grew a lot,” said Osaka. “I worked way harder than I have ever worked before. In that way it was very painful to not get the results I wanted [but] I am growing, I am learning and I’m really excited for this year.”
But there is also a undeniable sense that Osaka relishes the big stage – and wants to get back there as soon as possible. That’s no surprise, given the heights she reached.
There was the Indian Wells success in 2018 – when she beat two top five players, including then No 1 Simona Halep – before the unforgettable United States Open triumph over Serena Williams a few months later.
The haul became back-to-back majors at the 2019 Australian Open, before further grand slam success in New York (2020) and Melbourne (2021).
Naomi Osaka in action during the ASB Classic in 2017. Photo / Dean Purcell.
She still has the big weapons – with a huge serve and crushing forehand – and backs herself to do so, though won’t be content taking the long road.
“I don’t think I am the type of player that would hang around,” said Osaka.
“I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour but at the point of my life where I am at right now, if I am not above a certain ranking I don’t see myself playing for a while. I’d rather spend time with my daughter, if I am not where I think I should be and where I can be.”
There seems little chance of that. Osaka has expanded her team – hiring renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou last October – and has already felt benefits, with an intense off-season.
“Genuinely he has changed a lot,” said Osaka. “I’m definitely a lot more aggressive [on court] and he makes me feel really confident in myself.”
Osaka is also happy to be back in Auckland – she reached the quarter-finals in 2017 on her only previous trip here - describing it as one of the “most beautiful places” on the circuit.
She has visited Piha and Muriwai, enjoyed a boat trip on the harbour in gusty winds on Saturday and completed a bungy jump off the Sky Tower, despite her fear of heights.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing,” she laughed.
Now it’s business time, with a first-round match against qualifier Lina Glushko. It’s a quirk of her career but Osaka doesn’t have a great record in smaller tournaments – she hasn’t won a title at WTA 250 level – but that could change this week.
“I’ve never really wondered why,” said Osaka. “I feel like yeah, I might be definitely more of a big match player but I’m hoping that now I have more maturity I’m able to transfer that into all matches that I play.”
