Indian Wells 2024: ‘Perfectionist’ Naomi Osaka Turns Realistic After Disappointing Start to Season

The 26-year-old tennis sensation Naomi Osaka, who is renowned for outstanding precision on the tennis court, recently offered some insights into her thoughts as she makes her way back to the professional rankings after a maternity leave. Osaka discussed her battles with perfectionism and her attempts to have a more self-forgiving mindset in a candid discussion.

The Japanese star, frequently praised for her unwavering drive for perfection, admitted the difficulties she encountered at the Australian Open and described her season’s beginning that “wasn’t in my dreams.” But instead of giving in to self-loathing, she conveyed a wish to moderate her perfectionist inclinations and adopt a more practical outlook.

Naomi Osaka’s pragmatic tennis goals post-maternity break

Naomi Osaka is happy to be back in Indian Wells, this year with her daughter in tow. After losing in the first stages of this year’s Australian Open and Abu Dhabi Open, the four-time Grand Slam winner faced a major setback. The Japanese tennis player highlighted the significance of striking a balance in her pursuit of ‘perfectionism’ as she tells ESPN, realizing that being too harsh on herself could obstruct her advancement. “I’ve had dreams of what I want to achieve, and obviously losing in the first round of the Australian Open wasn’t in my dreams, but I have to be really realistic and kind to myself,” Osaka said in an interview.

Naomi Osaka stated that having advanced to the quarterfinals in Doha last month gave her encouragement. “When I was in Doha and I got to the quarters, I was really happy. I would have loved to go further, but I’m in the top 200 now, and I’m actually really excited about that,” Osaka further added.

The Japanese star now looks forward to taking a measured approach to tennis, combining the experience she has gained so far to make a stronger comeback.

Osaka’s new approach to her game

Being back in the Indian Wells again feels like home to Naomi Osaka. Her fans widely appreciated her exceptional performance on the tennis court back in Indian Wells in 2018.

Read more: Indian Wells 2024: Naomi Osaka Reveals the Only Tennis Legend to Constantly Check on Her Mental Health

While talking about the change that she has encountered since her last performance in the Indian Wells, she said, “I’ve learned a lot of patience throughout the game and resilience. I think you have to go through a lot of things while you’re playing tennis, and you also have to be patient because some things may not go your way. But eventually, if you keep trying, they might. And if not, you just try again another day.”

As Osaka sets out to reclaim her position as one of tennis’s biggest stars, all eyes will be on her in her upcoming matches at Indian Wells 2024.