Naomi Osaka says she will not ‘dangle round’ if outcomes do not come

FILE–Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after dropping some extent towards Coco Gauff of US throughout their ladies’s singles match on the China Open tennis match in Beijing on October 1, 2024. (Picture by WANG Zhao / AFP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand— 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she received’t “dangle round” in tennis if her outcomes fail to match her excessive expectations.

The 27-year-old Japanese participant will play her first match since she suffered a again harm within the China Open in October on the ASB tennis traditional in Auckland on Monday.

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READ: Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open with again harm

Osaka instructed a pre-tournament information convention in Auckland on Sunday she was “humbled” by her type in 2024 wherein she picked up her skilled profession after an nearly 15 month break for the delivery of her first baby. She ended the season ranked 58.

“I don’t suppose I’m the kind of participant that may dangle round,” Osaka instructed reporters. “I’ve numerous respect for all of the gamers on tour, however the level of my life that I’m at proper now, if I’m not above a sure rating, I don’t see myself taking part in for some time.

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“I’d reasonably spend time with my daughter if I’m not the place I believe I must be and the place I really feel like I may be.”

READ: Naomi Osaka wins at Wimbledon for first time in 6 years

Osaka had a 22-17 win-loss singles document in 2024, reaching the quarterfinals at Doha and at s-Hertogenbosch within the Netherlands.

“I believe 2024 humbled me, however I additionally really feel like I grew rather a lot,” she mentioned. “I labored approach tougher than I’ve ever labored earlier than. So in that, I suppose it was very painful to not get the outcomes I wished, however I really feel like I’m rising and studying and I’m actually excited for this 12 months (2025).

“I performed actually good matches. Individuals nonetheless discuss to me about my Iga (Swiatek) match on the French Open (misplaced 7-6 1-6 7-5). So I’m glad that I used to be capable of give individuals recollections as effectively.

READ: Naomi Osaka taking a look at ‘greater image’ on her tennis comeback

“Although I obtained injured in Beijing, which was my final match, I really feel fairly optimistic about how that match would have turned out (towards Coco Gauff) and I’m excited to play on hardcourt once more.”

Osaka received the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020. She says she nonetheless has a deep love for tennis, regardless of current harm setbacks.

“I’ve been taking part in tennis since I used to be three, and an enormous a part of that I owe to my dad and mom, however I by no means actually noticed my life doing anything,” she mentioned. “Then, once I sat there and had the chance to do different issues, I noticed that I’d reasonably be taking part in tennis.

“So it was sort of a kind of realization moments the place you are feeling such as you thought you have been pressured to do one thing, however in reality you very a lot really liked it.”

Osaka will play Lina Glushko of Israel within the first spherical of the ASB Traditional.