USA Today via Reuters
Mar 12, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) is emotional as she talks to referee after a fan disrupted before the start of her 2nd round match against Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) at the BNP Paribas open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 12, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) is emotional as she talks to referee after a fan disrupted before the start of her 2nd round match against Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) at the BNP Paribas open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Naomi Osaka is the first Asian to top the WTA rankings and the first woman from Japan to secure a Grand Slam singles title. The former world number 1 is the leading face of women’s tennis and is a sporting icon in her country.
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Recently, she paid tribute to fellow Japanese sports icon Yuzuru Hanyu who announced his retirement. Hanyu is a two-time Olympic winning Figure Skater.
Naomi Osaka’s tribute to Yuzuru Hanyu
Osaka remembered fellow Olympian and figure skating legend, Yuzuru Hanyu’s brilliant career. She shared a fan’s tweet that enumerated his achievements on her Instagram story.
12 senior seasons, 19 world records, first to break the 100, 200, and 300 point barrier, the only men’s single skater who has ever completed the Super Slam, and the first to land the 4Lo, 4T3A, 4Teu3F in competition
Yuzuru Hanyu, what an amazing journey it has been #YuzuruHanyu pic.twitter.com/VjDU1ahVWH
— hourly yuzuru hanyu (@hourlyyuzu) July 19, 2022
Notably, Hanyu was the first Asian man to win Olympic gold at the 2014 Sochi Games. Later, in the next Olympics in Pyeongchang, he repeated the feat.
Osaka approach to boldly discussing mental health issues affecting athletes at the highest level is well-documented. Her struggles with the similar issues came to light when she took a break from the WTA tour after withdrawing from the French Open 2021. With this move, the Japanese wanted to set an example for future generations.
Osaka to be back in action soon
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The 24-year-old has not been in the best of form this year and has frequently faced injury issues. The former World number 1 last played in the Roland Garros, where she ended up losing her first-round match. Playing against Amanda Anisimova, she lost in straight sets. Further, the 24-year-old had to skip Wimbledon Championship 2022 due to an Achilles injury.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 28, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) hits a forehand against Alison Riske (USA)(not pictured) in a fourth round women’s singles match in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
However, she is going to be back in action with a wildcard entry to the main draw of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at San Jose, California.
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Watch this story: Rafael Nadal’s biggest fan, Serena Williams, cheers for his success at Wimbledon Championships 2022
With this, the 24-year-old will aim to regain her form before entering the US Open later this year. Notably, the Japanese has already won the US Open twice, in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Can Osaka win her third US Open title?
