Former world number one Naomi Osaka stated that seeing some big-name players like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova taught her to enjoy tennis while it lasts.
The 26-year-old finally returned to the court after a gap of more than one year. Osaka was recently quoted in a report where she stated that seeing two greats of the game retire makes her realise how important it is to enjoy the sport at the highest level.
4 - Naomi Osaka now has four losses against Karolina Pliskova in the WTA, it is one of the three players against whom the Japanese has lost the most matches against in her career along with Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep. Defeat. #BrisbaneTennis | @BrisbaneTennis @WTA…
“I think I'm enjoying myself a lot more,” she said. “I also realize there's a lot of things that aren't in my control. I feel more aware that I'm playing the best players in the world. Both of us have an opportunity to win.
“I also just think I've trained so hard after giving birth that I need to enjoy these moments. I think in a way watching Sharapova & Serena retiring, I know that the tennis lifespan isn't that long, so I should enjoy it while I can.”
Osaka, who is a four-time Grand Slam winner, did not have a great return to professional tennis as her journey in the Brisbane International came to an end after losing the second-round tie to the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova with a score of 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
