Naomi Osaka dropped a bombshell ahead of her season-opener in Auckland as the four-time Grand Slam champion indicates she will probably retire if her results don’t meet her expectations.
When the 27-year-old launched a post-pregnancy return 12 months ago, she underlined that winning Majors was her No. 1 goal and the reason she came back to tennis.
Unfortunately for Osaka, it didn’t happen as she didn’t make it past the second round at a Grand Slam last year.
Also, the former world No. 1 posted a 22-17 record – made just two WTA quarterfinals – and finished the season ranked at No. 58 in the world.
“I think 2024 humbled me, but I also feel like I grew a lot. I worked way harder than I’ve ever worked before. So in that, I guess it was very painful to not get the results I wanted,” the Japanese tennis star told reporters in Auckland.
Naomi Osaka© ASB Classic/Instagram – Fair Use
Osaka: If I’m not where I want to be, I don’t myself continuing
“I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around. I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while,” the 27-year-old noted.
“I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
In Auckland, Osaka is set to play for the first time since debuting in 2017.
In her opening match at the WTA 250 tournament in New Zealand, the Japanese is seeded at No. 7 and faces qualifier Lina Glushko.
Since Auckland doesn’t feature any top-10 players and Osaka has a pretty solid draw, there is no doubt that the former world No. 1 could possibly make a run and lift her first title since 2021.
Tennis World USA