By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-17 10:11:56
Naomi Osaka expressed her mixed emotions on Wednesday after her early exit from the Australian Open, describing the experience as “bittersweet.” Despite her disappointment, she vowed not to dwell on the defeat as she was eagerly looking forward to returning home in time to witness her baby, Shai, crawl for the first time.
The Japanese tennis star, a four-time Grand Slam champion, including two victories in Melbourne, took a break from the sport in September 2022 due to mental health concerns. Following the birth of her daughter in July, she made a comeback for the 2024 season but faced a setback in the opening Grand Slam of the year on Monday.
Reflecting on her performance, Osaka expressed her disappointment but also acknowledged the realization of one of her dreams. “I remember last year I wished I had an opportunity to play again on Rod Laver Arena and this year that happened, so one of my dreams already came true,” she shared on social media. However, she also admitted that her high standards and expectations for herself made her deeply disappointed with her result, despite the circumstances. She reminded herself of the physical changes she underwent during her pregnancy and the patience required for her body to adjust to competitive play again.
The 26-year-old former world number one was defeated by French 16th seed Caroline Gracia, as she struggled to maintain her performance after an initially strong start to the match. Despite the setback, Osaka stated that she has learned to deal with defeat better now than earlier in her career. She attributed this growth to the perspective gained from motherhood, emphasizing the importance of time and the shift in priorities that come with it. “Understanding the importance of time is a skill I improved on after having Shai — things that used to bother me don’t bother me anymore, I don’t have time for it,” she explained. She also emphasized the need to continue moving forward and not dwell on losses, as the world keeps moving on.
While other mothers on the tennis circuit have chosen to travel with their children, such as Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber, Osaka decided not to bring her daughter Shai along. However, the early exit from the tournament has allowed her to return home earlier than anticipated. Expressing her emotions, she revealed, “It’s a new bittersweet feeling. So sad to leave Melbourne early but I’m so happy to go see Shai soon.” She excitedly mentioned that Shai had been showing signs of mobility and was relieved that she would be able to witness her daughter’s first crawl.
In conclusion, Naomi Osaka’s early exit from the Australian Open left her with mixed emotions. While she was disappointed with her performance, she was eagerly looking forward to reuniting with her daughter, Shai, and witnessing her achieve a significant milestone. Her experience reflected the challenges and triumphs of balancing professional sports with motherhood, and her optimism and resilience in the face of defeat were truly inspiring.
