"I felt like all my joy went away for the sport": Naomi Osaka nearly quit tennis after last tournament and wanted new career direction
WTAMonday, 01 January 2024 at 23:28
Naomi Osaka
will return to the courts after 14 months at the WTA 500 Brisbane Open, where
she received a wild card. The tournament will take place between December 31,
2023, and January 7, 2024, and will feature the 4-times Japanese Grand Slam champion,
who is returning to Australia after two years in preparation specifically to be ready for the Australian Open 2024.
A
journalist asked Osaka if she ever thought about leaving tennis: "Was
there ever a time when you thought about not coming back to tennis? Given the
previous answer, I'd say you missed it a lot & really wanted to come
back," the reporter said.
Osaka:
“Yeah, I would say right after Tokyo for, like, a month maybe I was thinking
about it because I felt like all my joy went away for the sport. I felt like it
kind of wasn't fair, both for the people watching & myself. But then I
thought.. I've played tennis since I was 3, & there's so many more things
that I want to do,” she said.
“Especially
with Shai, I want her to see, someone that has big goals & dreams. I think
that's really important to have really good role models,” Osaka added. “Also,
just learning how to appreciate the sport. I think in the time I had away, I
appreciated the sport a lot more.”
“After
giving birth, I understood how physical & how much work it takes to get
there. I'm very curious to see what happens in my match,” Japanese former world
No. 1 concluded.
Osaka returns in Brisbane
Thanks to a
wild card, she secured direct entry into the main draw and will make her debut
in the first round against German Tamara Korpatsch (world No. 84), with whom
she has no previous match history. Naomi Osaka shares the draw with top-level
players who are also gearing up for the Australian Open. The main contenders
include Aryna Sabalenka (world No. 2), Elena Rybakina (No. 4), Jelena Ostapenko
(No. 13), and Ludmila Samsonova (No. 16).
After publication we have now learned that Naomi Osaka celebrated her comeback with a win against German athlete Tamara Korpatsch.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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AceOfBase11-09-2026 - Oh my God!! Does anyone proofread these pages??? Case in point: However, the question mark over the 32-years-old head......???? No! No! No! However, the question mark over the 32-year-old's head...good grief man, hire a proofreader. This article is rife with errors making some sentences very difficult to read. I had to stop. I am a proofreader hence my disgust.Rapunzel10-09-2026
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mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
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