Just two years ago, Naomi Osaka was struggling to understand why a sport that was "as simple as breathing to me" was leaving her bereft.
The report indicates that just two years ago, Naomi Osaka was struggling to understand why a sport that was “as simple as breathing to me” was leaving her bereft.
It further notes that struggling after her return from maternity leave in July 2023, Osaka stated she did not “feel like I’m in my body”.
“It’s a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn’t miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to,” she wrote in August 2024.
“I try to tell myself, ‘It’s fine you’re doing great’. Mentally, it’s really draining.”
But on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon, Osaka found herself having more fun than she had in a long time.
Japan’s Osaka produced a stunning performance to knock world number one Aryna Sabalenka out of Wimbledon and reach the quarter-finals.
It was a display that two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin described as “the best we’ve seen Naomi Osaka since she came back”.
Asked afterwards what had changed for her, Osaka mentioned her coaching team and her mindset – as well as her mum’s cooking.
Osaka said: “My mum is over there, she cooks a lot and I feel like her cooking is powering me so I would really appreciate another meal tonight!
“She cooks a bunch of Japanese food, so shout out to Japanese food.
“It has been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court, so to do it here means a lot.”
By the time she was 23, Osaka had won two Australian Open and two US Open titles and had been at the top of the world rankings.
She also spoken openly about the pressure that comes with playing tennis. Osaka struggled with bouts of depression after winning her first major in 2018.
After briefly stepping away from tennis in 2021 to prioritise her mental health, Osaka took 15 months of maternity leave with daughter Shai.
