?I Finally Started Talking To a Therapist? – Naomi Osaka Speaks for the First Time Since the Indian Wells Controversy

Things are not going in the way of Naomi Osaka this season. She has had an inconsistent run of form this year. Playing the warm-up event prior to the Australian Open, the Melbourne Summer Set 1, she withdrew from her semifinal clash owing to an abdominal injury.

Subsequently, her biggest disappointment so far this season was at the Australian Open. American tennis sensation, Amanda Anisimova shocked the defending champion, Osaka, in the third round. Further, matters became worse in Indian Wells after her second-round defeat. Osaka burst into tears after her loss as she was disappointed with the unruly behavior of the crowd.

Recently, the Japanese star is in Miami to participate at the Miami Open. Following her first-round win, she opened up on how she handled the Indian Wells controversy.

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Naomi Osaka admits to visiting a therapist

During the post-match press conference after her first-round victory in Miami, an interviewer asked her about how she mentally prepares for the matches. She said, “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but I finally started talking to a therapist after Indian Wells. It only took like a year after French Open. Yeah, I don’t know, she kind of like told me strategies and stuff. I realize how helpful it is.”??

Further, she added, “Honestly, my sister kind of seemed very concerned for me. I feel like I’ve been trying a lot of different things because I try to internalize things and I also want to do everything by myself. So when kind of put her in a really good way was like, you hire a coach for tennis, you talk of fitness, and the mind is such a big thing and you can get a professional to help you out like 0.5%…”

Earlier today, Naomi Osaka overcame the challenge of Astra Sharma in the first round of the Miami Open. However, she has her task cut out in the coming rounds. Osaka will face the former World Number 1, Angelique Kerber, in the second round.

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If the Japanese star wins her second-round encounter, she might potentially face 2021 US Open finalist, Leylah Fernandez, in the third round. Can Naomi Osaka dig deep at the Miami Open this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.