Of course, each tennis player has to live his or her own life and take their own path back in a very unique way.
As for Naomi Osaka, once the “Crying Queen”, she is reappearing after taking a break to give birth and become a mother.
On January 1, 2024, Osaka just had her first match since September 2023, defeating Tamara Korpatsch (Germany, ranked 83 WTA) with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (11-9).
However, in the second round match that took place this morning, January 3, 2024, Osaka lost to the former world No. 1 tennis player, and also the defending tournament champion – Ms. Karolina Pliskova.
Osaka finished after 2 hours and 15 minutes of the match with a disappointing score of 6-3, 6-7 (4-7) and 4-6.
That was a match where she couldn’t save the risk of losing any break-point, as for Ka. Pliskova, she saved 10/12 of the risk of breaking the serve game.
After all, Osaka has just reappeared, she doesn’t need to put too much pressure on herself and force herself to rush back to her peak state.
Osaka calmly shared: “I reviewed the statistics afterwards, and my break-points could have been better. But I think, other than that, we both played well.”
“The match was kind of difficult because the opponent had such a great serve, I’m really not sure if I was being too hard on myself.”
“I know, going into the match, we had specific statistics about where the ball hit the court when she served, but then she changed the location of the serve point.”
“Right now, I still feel like I’m pretty good… like it’s her court, you know what I mean? I guess, we’ll see what happens in Melbourne.”
Naomi Osaka is experiencing her second career. In her first career, she was a simple female tennis player. In her second career, she became a single mother and learned from legends who had stopped their careers, or even mothers who were still competing before her.
“While I was rebuilding myself, I simply learned again that… I also have a lot of heart. I think, when I play hard, I put my whole soul into each score.”
“I think I’m enjoying myself more, and I also realize that there are many things that are no longer under my control.”
“After giving birth, I still practiced hard, so I enjoyed these moments very much. Seeing Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams retire, I know the lifespan in tennis is not that long, so I will enjoy it while I can.”
Ka. Pliskova, like Osaka, just returned. The female tennis player from Louny, who climbed to No. 1 on the WTA Rankings in 2017, has been absent from the WTA Tour since September last year, very similar to Osaka, but due to a wrist injury.
Seeded at the Brisbane International, she was exempted from the first round and the match against Osaka was Ka’s first match back. Pliskova.
The defending champion of the tournament, and also crowned three times in Brisbane (in 2017, 2019 and 2020 – the most recent tournament before being interrupted by the Covid-19 epidemic) confided…
“I like the playing conditions here and also really want to return to Brisbane after several years,” Ka. Pliskova said immediately after the match at Pat Rafter Arena.
“I’m happy to start my comeback here with a win. I usually play very good matches. The final match with Naomi herself here was over 3 hours long…”.
“Of course, the beginning of the season is always very important. I think I played quite well, although there are many things that still need to be improved, but this is a lively start.”
“I’ve been playing this sport for many, many years, so I’m happy to be back on the field. I’ve been training hard for the past few months, so I’m in very good shape” – Ka. Pliskova shared
Tomorrow, Thursday January 4, 2024, “Miss England” Emma Raducanu will have her second match when returning from the beginning of this season.
In round 1, Raducanu defeated Elena Gabriela Ruse (Romania, ranked 134 WTA) with scores of 6-3, 4-6 and 7-5. The comeback performance was later congratulated by Novak Djokovic on Twitter.
Raducanu’s second round opponent (currently still competing without a full-time coach) is “Ukrainian beauty” Elina Svitolina.
