The Comments Were Concerned, But The Talent Is There

Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 20, 2024

Since then Naomi Osaka started back from maternity leave in January in Australia, with this year's Australian Open marked on her calendar. The four-time major champion made his first success at Flushing Meadows in 2018, and repeated that in 2020.

Now 26, and having just celebrated her daughter Shai's first birthday, Osaka is now firmly back in the Top 100, and ready to take her place in the US Open draw as a wild card.

According to his lofty ambitions, the Osaka banner has not returned – yet – in 2024. He has not reached the semifinals of his career in 16 events he has played, and he has yet to earn a Top-10 finish. . But that doesn't mean he hasn't improved.

Ranked outside the Top 800 in January, the four-time champion now finds himself at 85 years old. He won 18 matches on tour, but a loss at Roland-Garros to eventual champion Iga Swiatek is a match that has many spectators on their feet again. note the fact that Osaka can still influence – and elite – travel.

Asked about Osaka's future today during ESPN's US Open promotion conference, 18-year-old major champion Chris Evert said he was concerned about Osaka's recent comments on social media after her recent loss to Ashlyn Krueger. Cincinnati.

In it Osaka said: “I don't feel in my body. It's a strange feeling, missing balls that I shouldn't miss, hitting softer balls than before.”

“That last quote he has is a little disturbing to me,” Evert said. “He said, my biggest problem right now is that I don't feel in my body. He said, it scares me. My racquet should feel like an extension of my hand, but it's not. If I miss the balls I should not miss.

“You face uncertain times. We'll see if he can find that magic, because it's the US Open. He has won this title a few times, so let's see if he can make that magic continue. I think his story, and his journey, is yet to be seen.”

Evert believes Osaka has the talent to return to the top of the sport, but questions whether the intangibles are there.

It can be difficult for a player like Osaka, who emphasizes the importance of balance and mental health in his life. He doesn't see life the way he did when he was younger, but he would like to play the same kind of tennis.

“I know he has a game, but it takes more than a game,” he said. “It takes a lot of confidence and it takes a lot of focus. We will see. He's in a different part of his life right now where he seems calm and relaxed and happy and peaceful. Mental problems have not really affected him. She has a child, whom she loves very much. Sometimes when you're too happy, that's not always good either, I don't know, we're a little bit aggressive and aggressive. We will see. I hope you're doing well, though.”

Osaka's performance against Swiatek was a good step, and he showed how he can handle the challenge of facing a top player. In that match, Osaka rekindled his old magic and proved that not only can he play at Swiatek's level, he can do it against the Pole at his best.

“The fact that he reached a point against Swiatek at the French Open was amazing,” he said. “That was the best I've ever seen him play on clay courts. Now he can be a clay court player, he knows he can play on clay. After that, he went down again.”

John McEnroe, also on the conference call, says Osaka's success rests on his head. The talent, no doubt, is there.

“You have talent,” he said. “It's all about what Chrissie says, where her head is at, how much she's willing to dig in, enjoy the competition. That part is key. The game is there, but he has to find that to win another big one. Can he? I think he can. As Chrissie said, I don't know if she would agree. It depends on whether or not you are able to use that.”