Naomi Osaka says her biggest issue lately isn’t the constant losses and inconsistent performances, it’s the feeling that when on the court competing she feels like a stranger to herself.
“In a weird way I’ve come to appreciate losses, you don’t play tennis for twenty plus years without your fair share of them. You learn from a loss and then eagerly await your next opportunity to put what you learned to test. My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t 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. I try to tell myself its fine, you’re doing great, just get through this and keep pushing. Mentally it’s really draining though. Internally I hear myself screaming, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!” Don’t get me wrong, I’ve played a handful of matches this year that I felt like I was myself and I know this moment is just a small phase from all the new transitions, clay, grass, clay, hard…”
“I know life isn’t guaranteed so I want to do the best that I can with the time that I have, I want to teach my daughter that she can achieve so many things with hard work and perseverance. I want her to aim for the stars and never think her dreams are too big. Nothing in life is promised but I realized that I can promise myself to work as hard as I can and give it my best shot till the very end.”
The 26 year old former world no. 1 in 2019 is ranked 90 now. The four time Grand Slam title winner has a match record of 17-14 this year and has not contended for any major titles. Last week in Toronto she beat Ons Jabeur 63 61 and lost in the round of 32 to Elise Mertens 36 46. This week in Cincy qualies, she lost to American Ash Krueger in three sets.
Osaka’s career nosedived after her political activism backfired and alienated most of her fan base. Compounding her mental issues from that rejection and loss of public support, is the sponsor pressure from Nike, Yonex and other sponsors which pay her multi-millions with the expectation that she must keep winning to maintain her status as a WTA elite. Another distraction could be her mothering duties, for her daughter born a couple of years ago. Osaka has been at journeywoman level for several years now.
It’s quite possible Osaka is burnt out with pro tennis and may never again reach the incredible, miraculous heights she did just a few years ago, as a winner of four Grand Slam titles.
Naomi Osaka · Nike · WTA · Yonex
catherine · August 14, 2024 at 7:44 am
I read Naomi’s Instagram post and while I think it’s good that she’s open about her various trials I found it slightly disturbing.
‘I don’t feel like I’m in my body.’ That’s not just about playing tennis. I recall a few years ago Naomi left the game for a while for reasons to do with her mental health. So frailty seems part of her character.
I tend to agree – she may never reach those GS heights again.
Scoop Malinowski · August 14, 2024 at 8:59 am
Catherine, Osaka is cooked, she lost her fan base, she’s viewed as a BLM freak now. She used to be adored by the fans and played her best tennis in that atmosphere. Now that’s gone and she just can’t win anymore.
catherine · August 14, 2024 at 9:13 am
Scoop – have you read Ben Rothenberg’s book about Naomi ? All 392 pages.
BTW – BLM is a while ago now. I doubt it’s an issue for Naomi or her fans.
I find these outpourings a little difficult to read. Part of me wishes players (and others) would keep their troubles to themselves.
Scoop Malinowski · August 14, 2024 at 9:27 am
Catherine, No I have not read any of it. I don’t trust him as a reporter (too many political agendas and biases) and I already know enough about her career and story which really was your quintessential sports miracle but her political activism and media dramas were the beginning of her downfall. She’s had a hall of fame career but now she’s a journeywoman type player.
catherine · August 26, 2024 at 11:19 am
Late to the party -I’ve just had a look at Naomi’s USO outfits, which are causing a bit of a fan flap. Too many ruffles for me but she seems happy so maybe that’ll be reflected in her play.
As Naomi grows older she seems more Japanese in looks – I don’t mean that to be an inappropriate comment – it’s her heritage after all.
Scoop Malinowski · August 26, 2024 at 2:01 pm
One thing about Osaka is she knows how to generate attention. Nike also have that knack to create outfits that get people buzzing.