Naomi Osaka’s Stunning Redemption
Naomi Osaka, revisited the pride she felt as the former World Number 1 after gaining a victory over Caroline Garcia on Monday 12th February 2024. This was Osaka’s second win in the last five matches she played at the WTA 1000 Qatar TotalEnergies Open.
Naomi, who was on a maternity leave until recently, entered the arena just last month after a 15 month long hiatus.
Defeating and avenging No. 15 seed, Garcia in their first round confrontation with the scores of 7-5, 6-4, Osaka resiliently bounced back from her past losses to cinch a win.
Last week, the Japanese tennis player had to endure defeats in Abu Dhabi
Winner of four Grand Slams, Naomi was redeemed herself in a close matchy, narrowly edging over her French opponent. She has a history with Garcia and finally, in Doha, Naomi settled scores with her to vindicate from Garcia overthrowing Osaka out in the first round Australian Open, a month ago.
Sharing her experience, Garcia regrets not being as accurate with her shot in the recent match as she was in the Australian Open clash and credited Naomi for being the better player in the game.
‘Much better player now’: Naomi
This was also Naomi’s first appearance in a Grand Slam post her maternity leave which started in 2022.
In the 1-hour and 28-minute intense match between the professionals, Osaka exacted her retribution with a sparkling win!
“Honestly I feel like I’m a much better player now,” says a beaming Osaka after she analytically contrasted the two matched against Caroline in 2024. She isn’t proud of her returns in Australia and remarks on not being as focused as she feels currently.
WIth this win, the Grand Slams champion is back on track to winning as she basks in the strength that motherhood has given her. She admits that making a comeback after her pregnancy was a tough journey. To regain the physical fitness and mental stability is a huge process.
Osaka’s Self Growth Journey
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She recognizes that all this time she was trying to fill in the shoes of her past self, forgetting that she is an evolved person now, with newer strengths and newer goals, which felt like an unhealthy thing.
Being the perfectionist she is, the star tennis player pushed herself a little bit too hard to get back on field. She trained very rapidly and also faced upsets when the results of her diligence were not manifesting.
“I felt like I was driving a car that wasn’t mine’ She admits not feeling like her past self in her own body.
This journey was an enlightening one for Osaka. Making a resurge back in the game, that too on such an esteemed level is never easy. She learnt to love herself just as she is and seeing her daughter reminds her of her strength to bring her in the world.
Naomi will next be seen locking heads with Petra Martic in her second round date with the Croatian player. The last match they has was back in 2014 where 16 year old Osaka beat her in a final qualifying round match at Stanford.
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