Osaka thrilled at prospect of winning gold medal in front of home crowd at Tokyo Olympics

Although she has chosen to skip this year's Wimbledon, Naomi Osaka will be representing her home country of Japan at the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.

In an interview with Business Insider, the World No.2 stated she would like to win singles gold in order to inspire a younger generation.

“It would honestly mean the world to me to bring home a gold in Japan,” said Osaka. “I think it would take some time to fully sink in, but to be able to win a gold on my country’s soil, knowing the youngest generation is watching – it makes me emotional to know I have the opportunity to make an entire generation inspired and an entire country proud.”

In October 2019, a week before turning 22, Osaka gave up her U.S. citizenship to represent Japan in the Summer Olympics. The Games were then pushed back a year due to the pandemic.

“I have never competed in an Olympic Games before, but I can say, as an athlete, I’m excited to be competing in the most prestigious athletic event in the world,” added the 23-year old. “Like most competitors, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity my entire life, and the fact that they are being held in my birthplace of Japan, I just feel like I can’t stop smiling about it."

The four-time Grand Slam champion is aware of the pressure that comes with playing for your country, and is willing to face these challenges head on.

“You have to mentally prepare for these large-scale moments,” she added, “and there are a lot of pressures associated with the Olympics because your country is looking up to you.”