Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 30, 2021 Picture taken May 30, 2021 Japan's Naomi Osaka reacts during her first round match against Romania's Patricia Maria Tig REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Osaka doesn’t have good memories from the last edition of the French Open, she had withdrawn mid-way through the tournament
Naomi Osaka is back in the WTA professional circuit after a long break and has her eyes firmly set on the next Grand Slam. The four-time Grand Slam Champion and former World No. 1 is yet to win the Roland Garros. She hasn’t ever made it beyond the third round of the tournament.
Osaka was out of action for quite some time citing mental health issues. She had taken a break from tennis for more than 3 months which means her world ranking has dropped drastically and she is currently placed 82nd in the world. Osaka is now back in the big picture and aims to win her 5th Grand Slam title in the same tournament she had withdrawn from, last year.
In the 2021 Roland Garros edition, Osaka made her entry into the tournament as the second seed. Shortly before the tournament, Osaka announced that she would not conduct her mandatory media assignments.
Osaka won her first match but refrained from attending the post-match press conference. As a result, she was fined US$ 15,000 and threatened with rising levels of fines and expulsion for violating tournament regulations.
The next day, Osaka announced her withdrawal from the tournament citing mental health issues. Her move sparked a fresh debate on the importance of mental health issues among everyone and especially for athletes who are always under a high-pressure situation. Osaka has since then become one of the leading figures in the mental health awareness campaign around the world.
The Japanese star is all set to make a special return to the tournament where she won her maiden title. The tournament organizing committee has announced that the 2018 Champion has been given a Wild Card entry.
Osaka, a 4-time grand slam Champion is currently ranked no. 82 in the world after taking a break from competitive tennis in 2021 citing mental health issues. Osaka is delighted to make a return to this event. “To return to the Indian Wells where I won my first big title, it’s special. It was special in 2018 and it will be special again this March”, she said.
Osaka has won the very first tournament she played since returning back from her break – the Melbourne Summer Set 2022. However, she had a disappointing run in the Australian Open, losing to Amanda Anisimova in the third round. Osaka will be looking to put up a good performance at the Indian Wells, a tournament she loves. A good string performance will definitely put her in the groove for the Roland Garros in two months’ time.
Osaka is scheduled to face Sloane Stephens in her first-round match at the Indian Wells tomorrow.
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