Osaka ‘not far off’ her best but often ponders future

Naomi Osaka, the 29-year-old Japanese tennis star, believes she is "not far off" her best form after achieving four Grand Slam titles between 2018 and 2021. However, she confesses that she has contemplated quitting the sport and often ponders her future. After taking a break in 2021 to focus on her mental health and a 15-month hiatus due to pregnancy, Osaka has returned to the game in 2023.

The Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo awaits Osaka, where she will face Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the opening round. Currently ranked 19th in the world, Osaka is seeded seventh at the tournament and has already reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon this year. She also reached the last 16 of the French Open and US Open, and the semi-finals in Washington and Toronto during the North American hardcourt swing.

Osaka acknowledges that her mindset has evolved with the responsibilities of parenthood and that her daughter, Shai, is her top priority. Despite her dedication to tennis, Osaka admits that she does not dedicate her entire day to the sport. If her daughter were to express a desire for her to travel less, Osaka indicated that she would not ignore this request.

Osaka is optimistic about her chances of returning to winning titles and believes she has laid a solid foundation. She remains excited to see if she can continue improving and advancing in tournaments. Osaka currently faces Kazakhstan's world number one, Elena Rybakina, in the opposite side of the draw at the Pan Pacific Open. Rybakina, defending champion, won her fourth title of the year at the Ningbo Open in China, defeating Canada's Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-2 in the final.