Naomi Osaka has never been shy about her desire to return to the top of the sport she once dominated. The four-time major champion, who beat Lina Glusico 6-4, 6-4 in her first match of the season in Auckland on Monday, said she would accept nothing less than her best as she begins her second season back. Maternity leave ends in 2024.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player to hang around,” Osaka, 27, told reporters. According to APWe are preparing to participate in the ASB Classic. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but at this point in my life I don’t see myself playing for a while unless I’m above a certain rank.
“I want to spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I need to be or where I feel like I can be.”
Osaka is currently ranked 57th, outside the top 800 for 2024, and feels this season has been a good step in the right direction, even if it doesn’t have the success it once did.
The power of Osaka
@naomiosaka | #ASB Classic 25 pic.twitter.com/ql0RlUlQpw
— wta (@WTA) December 30, 2024
He said, “I think 2024 has humbled me, and I also feel like I have grown a lot.” “I worked much harder than I ever worked before. “So I think I was very distressed because I didn’t get the results I wanted, but I feel like I’m growing and learning, so I’m really excited this year.”
Seventh seed Osaka will face Austria’s Julia Graber in the second round in Auckland. Osaka fired 7 aces and won 77% of the first serve points, winning in 85 minutes.
