Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, is experiencing a challenging return to the tennis court, eight months into her comeback following a maternity break. Despite her efforts, she confesses to feeling disconnected from her game, struggling with power and accuracy. The 26-year-old Japanese player, ranked 90th in the world, recently suffered a setback in the second round of qualifying for the Cincinnati Open.
Osaka candidly expressed her frustration on Instagram, writing, “My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body.” She went on to describe the disconcerting experience of missing shots she normally wouldn’t and hitting the ball with less force than she remembers. She acknowledged the mental toll it takes, saying, “I try to tell myself, ‘It’s fine you’re doing great. Just get through this one and keep pushing’, mentally it’s really draining through.”
Osaka, who gave birth to her daughter during a 15-month break, has been gradually working her way back into the sport since January. While she has achieved some notable milestones, including reaching the quarterfinals in Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, she feels a significant disconnect from her game. She explained, “I’ve played a handful of matches this year that I felt like I was myself and I know this moment is probably just a small phase from all the new transitions (clay, grass, clay, hard), however the only feeling I could liken how I feel right now to is being post-partum.”
The feeling of disconnection, she emphasized, is particularly unsettling given her deep-rooted connection to tennis. “That scares me because I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, the racket should feel like an extension of my hand,” she said.
Osaka is set to compete in the US Open, where she won in 2018 and 2020, but she remains perplexed by the feeling that her game feels “almost brand new” again. “This should be as simple as breathing to me, but it’s not. I genuinely did not give myself grace for that fact until just now,” she admitted.
Despite the challenges she faces, Osaka maintains a positive outlook, expressing her love for the work and her determination to regain her desired level of play. “I love putting in the work each day and eventually having the opportunity to get to where you want to be,” she wrote.
As Osaka prepares for the US Open, her journey back to her peak form is a testament to the resilience of athletes facing personal and professional transitions. While the road to recovery might be arduous, her determination and commitment to the sport remain unwavering.
