Naomi Osaka’s return to the tennis court has been inconsistent thus far. The Japanese tennis star was once a dominant force in the WTA tour, regularly clinching titles and striking fear into her opponents. However, after taking a break for the birth of her first child, Osaka’s former prowess seems to have diminished. Out of the three matches she has played since her comeback, she has lost two.
Although Osaka managed to make it to the second round of her comeback tournament, the Brisbane International, she suffered a first-round defeat at the 2024 Australian Open. Caroline Garcia defeated her in straight sets. Despite this challenging start to the season, Osaka remains confident in her abilities and is determined to reclaim her position among the top players.
During the Abu Dhabi Open, where she is currently competing, Osaka expressed her belief in her potential and her goal to regain her status among the elite players on the tour, such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff. Osaka acknowledges the tough opponents she has faced in the early rounds of her comeback, but she is determined to improve her ranking and gain an advantage at the start of tournaments.
However, Osaka’s determination does not mean she is afraid of facing the top-seeded players in a tournament. She approaches every match with the mindset of expecting to win, even if others may perceive it as delusional. Osaka embraces this mentality as it suits her and is not bothered by being labeled as crazy.
It is worth noting that Osaka’s upcoming match in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open is against American Danielle Collins, a finalist in the Australian Open and a former top-10 player. If Osaka manages to advance past the first round, she may face an even greater challenge in Elena Rybakina. The outcome of this tournament will reveal how Osaka performs in her current form.