Naomi Osaka was once one the most feared players on the WTA, but ever since returning from her break from tennis, she has not quite been as formidable.
And that was to be expected.
After all, not only had she been out of the game for some time, but she had also had a baby during that period too, a process which naturally commands drastic physical changes.
Getting used to a brand-new body was never going to be a quick process, and neither was attaining the necessary fitness needed to ascend to the top of the sport again.
However, she need not beat herself up about this, with the 26-year-old remaining an inspiration to many, and with time still very much on her side. Amanda Anisimova praised Naomi Osaka for all she has done for not just tennis, but the welfare of players too recently.
But with her form faltering of late, she has taken to social media to air her thoughts on life at the moment.
Naomi Osaka reflects on her struggling form
In what appeared to be almost like an entry to her diary, she kickstarted the emotional piece by writing: ‘I’ve been trying to figure out how I feel for the past several hours.’
This came just after the Japanese tennis star had suffered a shock exit in the qualifiers of the Cincinnati Open, a tournament she had previously reached the final in before her hiatus from tennis.
Naturally, after such a surprising and early departure from a Masters 1000-level event, there was bound to be some frustration.
However, never before has she published such a heartfelt explanation for her struggling form.
Osaka continued: ‘My biggest issue currently isn’t the 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 and tell myself “it’s fine you’re doing great, just get through this one and keep pushing”, mentally it’s really draining though.’
Although the bulk of this outpouring was exorcising her negative emotions, she did end on an uplifting note, claiming: ‘During this time I’ve wondered what do I want out of this whole experience and I realised something. I love the process (though the process doesn’t love me sometimes haha), putting in work everyday and eventually having the opportunity to get to where you want to be.’
Osaka finished with a short message for the fans: ‘See you in New York’.
There is no rush for Naomi Osaka to return to the top
Whilst Naomi Osaka will naturally be desperate to speed straight back to the top of the sport, where she will feel she rightfully belongs, there is no rush on such a journey.
After all, what the 2018 and 2020 US Open champion has gone through, both physically and mentally, only exemplifies her bravery and strength.
With four Grand Slam titles to her name, there is little for her to prove, and with that in mind, it should alleviate some of the pressure.
But, in the end, removing that feeling is an impossible job.
Osaka did not reach the top and achieve what she did without her incredible mentality and unflinching desire to win.
Whilst it will likely not be a quick process, this alone should be enough to ensure that, eventually, Osaka will be back in a place where she can feel happy with her level of tennis again.
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