Naomi Osaka describes her return to Indian Wells as a homecoming

Naomi Osaka, at 26, expressed her profound sense of belonging as she returned to the Indian Wells tournament, a place where she clinched her maiden WTA title. After a hiatus last year due to maternity leave, Osaka was thrilled to grace the courts of Indian Wells once again, this time accompanied by her baby daughter.

The familiarity of the journey to Indian Wells, coupled with the presence of her daughter, made Osaka feel as though she was returning home. Living in Beverly Hills, the short drive to the tournament venue added to the sense of comfort and ease for the Japanese tennis star.

Reflecting on her past triumph in Indian Wells in 2018 and subsequent success at the US Open later that year, Osaka acknowledged the pivotal role the tournament played in her rise to prominence as one of the world’s most renowned and highly compensated athletes.

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Following the birth of her daughter Shai in July, Osaka faced challenges on the court, experiencing early exits at the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi Open. However, reaching the quarter-finals in Doha provided a glimmer of progress for the 26-year-old, who admitted to being a perfectionist but emphasized the importance of being compassionate towards herself as she navigates her post-maternity break comeback.

Despite setbacks, Osaka maintained a positive outlook, finding excitement in her current ranking and the opportunity to compete in the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells, where seeded players receive a first-round bye. Embracing her unseeded status, Osaka viewed the tournament as valuable preparation for potentially clinching her fifth Grand Slam title, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience through playing consecutive matches.

In essence, Osaka’s return to Indian Wells symbolized a homecoming, both figuratively and literally, as she embarked on her journey to reclaim her position among tennis’ elite while balancing the joys of motherhood.