WELLINGTON, New Zealand — 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she will not “grasp round” in tennis if her outcomes fail to match her excessive expectations.
The 27-year-old Japanese participant will play her first match since she suffered a again damage within the China Open in October on the ASB tennis basic in Auckland on Monday.
Osaka informed a pre-tournament information convention in Auckland on Sunday that she was “humbled” by her type in 2024 by which she picked up her skilled profession after an nearly 15-month break for the start of her first youngster. She ended the season ranked 58th.
“I do not suppose I am the kind of participant that might grasp round,” Osaka informed reporters. “I’ve lots of respect for all of the gamers on tour, however the level of my life that I am at proper now, if I am not above a sure rating, I do not see myself taking part in for some time.
“I might fairly spend time with my daughter if I am not the place I believe I ought to be and the place I really feel like I will be.”
Osaka had a 22-17 singles report in 2024, reaching the quarterfinals at Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch within the Netherlands.
“I believe 2024 humbled me, however I additionally really feel like I grew loads,” she mentioned. “I labored approach more durable than I’ve ever labored earlier than. So in that, I assume it was very painful to not get the outcomes I needed, however I really feel like I am rising and studying and I’m actually excited for this 12 months [2025].
“I performed actually good matches. Individuals nonetheless discuss to me about my Iga [Swiatek] match on the French Open [lost 7-6, 1-6, 7-5]. So I am glad that I used to be in a position to give folks recollections as nicely.
“Though I obtained injured in Beijing, which was my final match, I really feel fairly optimistic about how that match would have turned out [against Coco Gauff], and I’m excited to play on onerous court docket once more.”
Osaka gained the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020. She mentioned she nonetheless has a deep love for tennis, regardless of the latest damage setbacks.
“I have been taking part in tennis since I used to be 3, and an enormous a part of that I owe to my dad and mom, however I by no means actually noticed my life doing anything,” she mentioned. “Then, once I sat there and had the chance to do different issues, I noticed that I might fairly be taking part in tennis.
“So it was form of a kind of realization moments the place you’re feeling such as you thought you had been compelled to do one thing, however essentially you very a lot really beloved it.”
Osaka will play Lina Glushko of Israel within the first spherical of the ASB Basic.