Naomi Osaka sets the record straight on retirement rumors – Tennis Tonic

Naomi Osaka, the former world no.1 tennis player, has opened up about her surprising decision to step away from the sport during her pregnancy, revealing that it gave her a fresh perspective on life and her career. Despite not playing much in the 2022 season and struggling with depression and anxiety, Osaka found herself rediscovering her passion for tennis during her time away from the court.

In a recent interview, Osaka shared, “It forced me to see life differently. I know a lot of people probably think I retired in that year but it just made me a lot more grateful for the sport and, in turn, made me just know there are so many possibilities outside of tennis and I realized I would still love to play tennis.”

Currently ranked world no.134, Osaka recently played her last match in Rome, where she lost to world no.8 Qinwen Zheng. Despite her lower ranking, Osaka remains determined to make a comeback and is set to face world no.48 Lucia Bronzetti in the 1st round of an upcoming tournament.

Reflecting on her career, Osaka acknowledged her struggles with doubt and the pressure to perform, but expressed optimism for the future. “The biggest thing is doubt, because the only way I know how to gauge my success is through wins. And if I don’t have those, I feel like I’m not doing well. But I played some really good players so I’m hoping that the results will creep in slowly,” she said.

With 7 titles to her name, all conquered on hard courts, Osaka’s fans are eagerly awaiting her return to top form as she continues to chase her dreams on the tennis court.