Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka stepped away from the sport following the US Open in September, citing that she needed a break due to mental health concerns. Two months later, Osaka has appeared to return to the court.
The 13th ranked player in the world posted on social media on Friday that she has resumed training, which certainly hinted that she could be coming back to compete in the near future:
View this post on Instagram
Naomi Osaka was upset in Flushing Meadows by eventual finalist Leylah Fernandez, who beat her in the third round. The four-time Grand Slam champion has dealt with mental health problems in the past and even boycotted the media at the French Open, which resulted in fines. Osaka also opted out of Wimbledon earlier this year.
The 24-year-old revealed that winning felt like a relief to her more than actual happiness, which certainly is concerning. However, Naomi Osaka looks ecstatic to be playing the sport she loves again. In her Instagram post, She even posted a picture of the Australian Open ball. That could be a hint that Osaka will be in action in January at the prestigious tournament she's already won twice in her young career.
Not long after Naomi Osaka announced her hiatus, she evidently missed the game. This is what Osaka said on HBO's The Shop in late September:
“I know I'm going to play again, probably soon because I kind of have that itch again,” she said.
“But it wouldn't really matter to me if I won or lost.
“I'd just have the joy of being back on the court.”
Naomi Osaka was No. 1 in the world for quite some time and is likely poised to get back there. The whole sport can't wait until she's competing again, either.
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