Physically, Naomi Osaka is not yet where the four-time Grand Slam winner was. Your 6:0, 6:4 in the second round of the Australian Open over Madison Brengle (USA) was a relaxed affair yesterday. Although the 24-year-old is the defending champion Down Under, such a sense of achievement is of enormous importance to her after a difficult year.
After the early end at the US Open, Osaka had announced that it would say goodbye to the tennis circuit for an indefinite period. She had previously dropped out of the French Open on the grounds that the pressure the player, who had been struggling with depression since 2018, had become too great. She was one of the first sports stars to address the taboo topic of mental health. US gymnast Simone Biles did the same a little later.
In Melbourne, Osaka returned to the place of their last great triumph. It is not a “new” Osaka that the tennis world is experiencing, but one that has repositioned itself in recent months. “I feel more comfortable in my skin now, if that makes sense,” said the world number 14, who is trying to see things a little more relaxed. Some routines should help: “I bought a notebook in which I write down my thoughts every day.” She also bought candles and accessories for the hotel room “because I knew I’d be in Melbourne for a while.”
After the US Open, she realized that there were many things in tennis that she still wanted to experience. With that in mind, Melbourne could be a first step backwards. There Osaka meets Amanda Anisimova (USA) in the night to tomorrow.
Coronafall Humbert
Frenchman Ugo Humbert tested positive for corona after leaving Melbourne. According to the British “Telegraph”, only three professionals from the top 100 in the women’s and men’s world rankings are not vaccinated. In addition to Novak Djokovic, there is Tennys Sandgren (USA) and a player whose name was not mentioned by the WTA.
Source: Nachrichten
