Double champion of the US Open (2018 and 2020) and the Australian Open (2019 and 2021). He rose to number one in the world ranking in January 2019. Born to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother. He was born in an Asian country, but grew up and lived in the United States. When he came of age he decided to play as a Japanese, renouncing his American nationality.
He was one of the pioneers in the need for mental health care. He refused to speak to the media at Roland Garros 2021, a tournament he abandoned after controversy arose, with the tournament threatening to punish him if he did not comply with the commitments indicated by the regulations. He also did not go to Wimbledon afterwards, claiming his right to choose.
Naomi Osaka is on a different, more personal crusade. In September 2022 he parked the racket. Later it became public knowledge that she would become the mother of a girl, in the summer of 2023. After fifteen months away from the circuit, at 26 years old she returned in 2024 starting from the beginning.
He’s making strides, he’s world number 88, he’s won 20 of the 37 singles he’s contested, but it’s still not enough for the former reigning champion. He knows his special circumstances, “that this is a school year,” but he has a hard time assimilating defeats.
At the US Open she did not make it past the second round, losing to the Czech Karolina Muchova, a semi-finalist in 2023. Having a low ranking meant immediately facing dangerous rivals. It happened at Roland Garros, where he also had the Polish Iga Swiatek on the ropes in the second round. He had several match points to knock out the then champion.
“It’s a bit difficult because, obviously, I can only measure myself by results. I feel faster. I feel better, but I lost in the second round. So it’s difficult, because I’m working harder than ever,” she explains.
“I know it may sound dramatic, but the truth is that my heart feels like it’s dying every time I lose,” Osaka said.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
