Naomi Osaka, the former world number one, has candidly shared her ongoing difficulties in reconnecting with her game after taking a break for maternity leave. The Japanese tennis star returned to the WTA Tour in January 2024 following the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Since her comeback, Osaka has encountered significant hurdles, struggling to advance past the quarter-finals in any tournament she has entered.
In a deeply personal Instagram post, Osaka opened up about her primary concern—not her recent match losses, but rather a profound disconnection she feels with her own body. “My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body,” the 26-year-old wrote, revealing the inner turmoil she has been experiencing.
Osaka described an unsettling sensation of not being able to execute shots with the precision and power she once did. “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, ‘It’s fine you’re doing great. Just get through this one and keep pushing.’ Mentally it’s draining through,” she confessed. Her post reflects the deep psychological and physical adjustments she is undergoing as she tries to reclaim her previous form.
Her recent defeat to American Ashlyn Kreuger in the Cincinnati Open qualifying rounds has only added to her frustration. Despite some matches where she felt a semblance of her old self, Osaka has struggled to adapt to the new phases in her game and life. “I’ve played a handful of matches this year that I felt like I was myself and I know this moment is probably just a small phase from all the new transitions (clay, grass, clay, hard),” she said. This acknowledgment of the transitional phase highlights the complex journey Osaka is navigating as she returns to competitive tennis.
The comparison Osaka made between her current feelings and the post-partum period is particularly striking. “That scares me because I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, the racket should feel like an extension of my hand,” she admitted. This comparison underscores the depth of her struggle and the dissonance she feels between her long-standing identity as a tennis player and her current reality.
Despite not making it past the third round of a Grand Slam this year, Osaka has demonstrated that she still possesses the ability to compete with the best. Her performance against world number one Iga Swiatek at the French Open, where she pushed Swiatek to the limit in a second-round thriller, is a testament to her enduring talent and resilience. However, Osaka has expressed confusion over why everything feels so unfamiliar. “This should be as simple as breathing to me, but it’s not,” she said. “I genuinely did not give myself grace for that fact until just now.” This admission highlights the emotional and psychological challenge of returning to a sport that once felt instinctive.
Looking ahead, Osaka is set to compete in the US Open later this month, a tournament where she has previously claimed victory twice. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the former champion can overcome her current challenges and rediscover her winning form. The US Open presents a significant opportunity for Osaka to demonstrate her resilience and adapt to the changes she is experiencing.
As Osaka prepares for the upcoming Grand Slam, the tennis world is rooting for her to navigate this challenging phase successfully. Her openness about her struggles resonates with many who have faced similar difficulties in their personal or professional lives. Osaka’s journey serves as a reminder of the pressures and challenges that elite athletes face, particularly when returning to their sport after significant life changes.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Osaka as she continues to adjust to her new reality both on and off the court. Her ability to balance her role as a mother with the demands of professional tennis will be closely scrutinized, and her performance at the US Open could provide valuable insights into her ongoing journey. As fans and the tennis community await her return to top form, they will undoubtedly be cheering for her success and supporting her as she works to overcome these current challenges.
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