Happy slam Osaka hails Australian Open
TWO-TIME Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka says 2022 is all about having fun after her tennis career so dramatically unravelled last year.
Confessing to placing too much pressure on herself, a relaxed Osaka made a winning return on Tuesday from a four-month mental health break, with the Japanese superstar saying she loved the “vibes” at Melbourne Park. The four-time major winner banked a three-set victory over France’s Alize Cornet in her much-anticipated comeback match. Now ranked 13th, Osaka brushed off a second-set stumble to scramble to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win in the WTA 250 tournament. The former world No.1 committed more than 50 unforced errors and blew a 3-1 lead in the second but her class was undeniable. Osaka last featured at the US Open in September when she suffered a shock loss to Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez before tearfully announcing she was taking an indefinite break from the sport to focus on her mental health.
It brought a tumultuous year to a close after Osaka withdrew from the French Open after refusing to do any media and then missed Wimbledon altogether.
The 24-year-old also admitted the pressure of being the face of the Tokyo Games might have been too much, falling short in her quest to medal after lighting the Olympic cauldron.
But following her victory on Tuesday, Osaka spoke of her love for the Australian Open, which she also won in 2019, and also regaining her passion for tennis after her motivation took a heavy hit last year. “Whenever I come back here it’s like a breath of fresh air,” Osaka said. “Everyone is super nice and the vibes here are really good.
“I really love playing here - I live in New York, but this might be my favourite slam. “It feels really good to always come back here.” AAP
Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after winning her match against France’s Alize Cornet during their women’s singles match at the Melbourne Summer Set tennis tournament in Melbourne.