Naomi Osaka has never been shy about her aspirations to return to the top of the sport she once dominated. The four-time major champion, who beat Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in her season opener on Monday in Auckland, says she will accept nothing but her best as she begins her season of second after return. from maternity leave in 2024.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player to hang around,” the 27-year-old Osaka told reporters. according to APbefore her appearance at the ASB Classic. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on the tour, but at the point in my life that I’m at now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while.
“I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I could be.”
Osaka moved up the rankings in 2024, from outside the Top 800 to her current spot at 57, and feels the season was a good step in the right direction, even if she didn’t achieve the kind of success she’s used to.
Power from Osaka 💪@naomiosaka | #ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/ql0RlUlQpw
— wta (@WTA) December 30, 2024
“I think 2024 humbled me, but I also feel like I grew a lot,” she said. “I worked a lot harder than I worked before. So in that, I think it was really painful not to get the results I wanted, but I feel like I’m growing and learning and I’m really excited about this year.”
Seventh-seeded Osaka will face Austria’s Julia Grabher in second-round action in Auckland. Osaka fired seven aces and won 77 percent of her first serve points to claim her victory in 85 minutes.
