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Despite Karolina Pliskova’s defeat, Naomi Osaka continued and said, “I’m enjoying myself a lot more.”
Naomi Osaka faced a setback in the second match of her comeback against Karolina Pliskova at the Brisbane International. Despite expressing disappointment, Osaka remains optimistic and emotionally uplifted as she gears up for the 2024 Australian Open. This tournament marks Osaka’s return in September 2022, and her journey is amplified by the recent birth of her daughter, Shai.
Osaka secured a victory in her opener against Tamara Korpatsch and showcased a formidable performance against Pliskova, a former world No. 1. The match, filled with intensity, witnessed a combined total of 87 winners, with Osaka contributing 40 of them, showcasing her skill with only 12 unforced errors.
Reflecting on her progress, Naomi Osaka shared, “Stepping on the court is a personal win for me, considering my recent doubts about playing at this level. These two matches prove that I am on the right track, and the upcoming year holds promise for me. Despite the disappointment today, I believe in my training and hard work leading me to where I want to be.”
Pliskova’s formidable 16 aces and a comeback from a set down resulted in a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory. Naomi Osaka acknowledged that the outcome could have been different had she converted more than two of her 12 breakpoints.
But she said: “I’m not sure if I can be too hard on myself if that makes sense.
Going into the match, we had specific serving stats on Pliskova, but she changed it up. It was a great match, and I had a lot of fun,” Naomi Osaka expressed.
Looking forward, Osaka is set to head to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 14. A two-time champion at the Australian Open, Osaka’s career trajectory, marked by triumphs and challenges, finds renewed energy in Brisbane.
Naomi Osaka Tweet
“I feel pretty good where I am right now. Rediscovering that feeling of putting my entire soul into every point was fun. After witnessing tennis greats like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova retire, I’ve learned to enjoy my career more. The awareness that the tennis lifespan is relatively short motivates me to savor these moments,” Osaka reflected on her evolving perspective.
As the tennis world witnesses Naomi Osaka’s comeback, the resilience, optimism, and joy she brings to the court create a compelling narrative of an athlete rediscovering her passion and embracing the journey ahead.
IN 58 MINUTES, SABALENKA WINNS SEASON-OPENER
In Brisbane, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 6-0 to win her season’s first match in just 58 minutes.
Following her victories in Adelaide and the Australian Open last year, the world No. 2 has now won her previous 12 matches in Australia.
“I’m super happy to play in front of fans here in Australia, they’re amazing,” she remarked.”
Right now, I’m not thinking about the record I’m working on. I’m just thinking about myself and trying to play the best tennis I can in each match.”
Sabalenka’s next opponent might be Zhu Lin or Danielle Collins.
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