As the tennis season comes to a close, athletes are taking stock of their performances throughout. Naomi Osaka has experienced both remarkable accomplishments and unexpected setbacks this year and remains optimistic while keeping a sense of humor about what lies ahead for her in 2018. Osaka recently shared insights into her practice sessions as she prepares for next season and hinted that there may be bumps along her road ahead.
Osaka took to Instagram, providing followers a glimpse into her first day back at pre-season practice. Pictures and videos showed Osaka lying exhausted but triumphant on the court after an intensive session with coach Patrick Mouratoglou; her candid comments about “surviving” such rigorous training captured fan attention, showing resilience and determination on display by this champion athlete.
Her recent posts come in the backdrop of a season marred by injuries, including a back injury that forced her to withdraw from the China Open. The setback was a significant blow to Osaka, who had to end her season earlier than planned, emphasizing her commitment to prioritize her health.
The past year has been a challenging one for Osaka, with unexpected results particularly on hard courts, despite them being the surface where she has won all four of her Grand Slam titles. An early exit at the Cincinnati Masters followed by a withdrawal due to injury against Coco Gauff in China underscored her struggles. This led to a pivotal decision to part ways with her former coach Wim Fisette and team up with Mouratoglou, aiming to reclaim her form and achieve new heights.
Setting Sights on Future Success
Despite the ups and downs, Osaka is fiercely focused on the future. She is eyeing a strong return at the ASB Classic in Auckland, a tournament she hasn’t participated in for an extended period. Her ambition extends beyond just participating; she is also keen on improving her ranking to ensure a seeded position at the Australian Open.
Osaka discussed her immediate goals and the strategy she employs to achieve them during an interview in September, specifically wanting to become seeded in Australia as one of her key objectives, yet stressing the need to not put too much pressure on herself at any one time by taking things step-by-step.
With her newly appointed coaching partnership and clear goals in place for the future, Naomi Osaka stands ready to face whatever lies in wait for her – including any obstacles along her journey – with resilience. Her journey stands as testament to perseverance amidst difficult circumstances.