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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning match point in her Women’s Singles fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during day seven of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning match point in her Women’s Singles fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during day seven of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The past few months have been rough for Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka. After revealing her mental struggles back in June, things have gone downhill for the 24-year-old player.
Post the US Open loss, she was unable to focus on her game and her mind space was not in order. Osaka had mentioned that she would need to take a break from the sport in order to rejuvenate and get back to winning ways.?
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Naomi Osaka has been focusing on the practice courts?
However, now that the focus is on the new season, players are beginning to arrive in Australia for the first Grand Slam event of the season. A couple of days ago, Naomi Osaka landed in Melbourne and she will compete in the Australian Open 2022. This comes as great news since it has been a while since we have seen her compete on the Tour.?
🇦🇺🎾☺️✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/pftYJkjR0P
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) December 29, 2021
Ever since she landed, she has been posting pictures of her activities on the tennis courts. She was even spotted practicing in the Rod Laver Arena. Osaka has been one of the most successful players competing in the Australian Open, winning the title previously on two out of three seasons.
Downhill since the French Open 2021?
Coming to tennis played by Osaka in 2021, she began the year on a great note, winning her fourth Grand Slam title. After that, she revealed her mental struggles during the French Open and pulled out of the tournament before the second-round match.?
The 24-year-old player then skipped the Wimbledon Championships and was unable to create an impact at the Tokyo Olympics while representing Japan.?
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during her Women’s Singles third round match on Day Five of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Later, she failed to defend her title at the US Open and crashed out to teenager Leylah Fernandez. She was not feeling up to the best of her abilities and felt a break was needed in order to compete in her best winning ways.?
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Well, now that she is settling herself to the Melbourne conditions, it will be interesting to see how she performs at the Australian Open 2022.?
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