Naomi Osaka, the former world number one and four-times Grand Slam champion, recently made a successful return to professional tennis after taking a 15-month break for maternity leave. Despite losing three consecutive matches following her comeback, Osaka remains optimistic and believes that her game can only improve from here.
After giving birth to her daughter Shai in July, Osaka marked her return to the court with a victory at the Brisbane International last month. However, she faced defeat in the second round against Karolina Pliskova. Her journey continued with disappointing losses at the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi against Caroline Garcia and Danielle Collins, respectively. Despite these setbacks, Osaka maintains her confidence and a positive outlook.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Qatar Open, Osaka admitted that she has been tough on herself, but she emphasized that the recent experiences have actually boosted her self-assurance. 'I feel like since I have seen the worst that can happen, everything else is a plus,' she said. Osaka sees the Australian tournaments as an opportunity for extra credit and views them as valuable practice. Although the losses were disappointing, she remains optimistic about her future performance.
Osaka, who is set to compete against 15th seed Caroline Garcia in Doha, expressed her preference for facing tough opponents. She believes that she learns more from challenging matches. Despite being aware that she shouldn't think kindly of her opponent, Osaka appreciates Garcia's character and the fact that they share the same birthday. Ultimately, she is simply focused on delivering her best performance and believes that a Libran, like herself and Garcia, will emerge victorious.
As Osaka steps onto the court in Doha, she carries with her a renewed sense of confidence and determination. Her return to the professional circuit after becoming a mother is undoubtedly inspiring. While her recent results may not have been what she hoped for, Osaka's mindset and resilience provide great hope for her fans and fellow athletes. The upcoming matches will undoubtedly be an opportunity for her to continue growing, learning, and showcasing her exceptional skills.
