Naomi Osaka has never been shy about her ambitions to return to the top of the sport she once dominated. The four-time champion, who beat Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in her season opener on Monday in Auckland, says she won't take it easy as she begins her second season back. from maternity leave in 2024.
“I don't think I'm the type of player to play,” Osaka, 27, told reporters, according to the AP, before his appearance at the ASB Classic. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on the tour, but the point of my life I'm at right now, if I'm not above a certain level, I don't see myself playing for a while.
I prefer to spend time with my daughter when I am not where I think I should be and where I feel I can be.”
Osaka moved up the rankings in 2024, moving from outside the Top 800 to his current spot at age 57, and feels the season was a good step in the right direction, even if he didn't reach the kind of success he's used to.
Power from Osaka 💪@naomiosaka | #ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/ql0RlUlQpw
— wta (@WTA) December 30, 2024
“I think 2024 has humbled me, but I also feel like I've grown a lot,” he said. “I worked harder than before. So in that regard, I think it was very painful not to get the results I wanted, but I feel like I'm growing and learning and I'm very happy this year.”
Seventh-seeded Osaka will face Austria's Julia Grabher in the second round in Auckland. Osaka fired seven aces and won 77 percent of her first points to earn her victory in 85 minutes.
