Naomi Osaka is ready to return to grass courts in fairly some fashion because the Japanese tennis star has signed as much as compete in Berlin and it’s protected to say that the previous world No. 1 undoubtedly meant it when she stated that Wimbledon can be considered one of her objectives for 2024.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, hasn't performed in any grass-court tournaments since 2019. The final time that Osaka performed on grass, she suffered back-to-back losses to Yulia Putintseva within the Birmingham round-of-16 and Wimbledon first spherical, respectively.
However after not enjoying on the quickest tennis floor for 5 years, Osaka is planning to vary that this yr because the 26-year-old has already signed as much as play in two grass-court tournaments main as much as Wimbledon. Earlier this month, the previous world No. 1 confirmed her participation at a WTA 500 event in Eastbourne, which begins on June twenty fourth.
However now that Osaka agreed to play a WTA 500 in Berlin, her return to grass courts will come even earlier than Eastbourne because the German grass-court event is kicking off on June seventeenth. In Berlin, the 26-year-old will probably be making her major draw debut this yr.
In 2022, Osaka signed as much as play in Berlin however she ended up withdrawing earlier than the event began. Barring an damage or some unlucky setback, the Japanese ought to be amongst one of many greatest names competing in Berlin this yr.
Naomi Osaka© Getty Photographs Sport – Ben Hoskins
"I'm delighted to be enjoying in Berlin for the primary time. It’s extensively identified how glorious the grass courts are, how sturdy the sphere of gamers is and the way great the vibe is there on the Berlin Girls Open introduced by ecotrans Group," Osaka stated in an announcement.
In her Berlin debut, Osaka will probably be aiming for the title.
"A prime event in an thrilling, inspiring metropolis. That’s the proper match for me. I’ll give it my all to be on the prime of my recreation in Berlin," Osaka added.
Why Osaka didn't play any grass tournaments within the final 5 years?
In 2020, your complete grass season was canceled as a result of pandemic so nobody performed grass tennis that yr. The next yr, Osaka opened up about her battle with melancholy and nervousness throughout the French Open and he or she missed the 2021 grass season to deal with her psychological well being but in addition put together for the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2022, Osaka was signed up for Berlin and it seemed like she was planning on enjoying there after which additionally competing at Wimbledon. However then, the Japanese handled an Achilles damage throughout the clay season. Additionally, the truth that the WTA determined to punish Wimbledon by eradicating rating factors from the 2022 tournaments might have additionally impacted Osaka's choice to not play any tournaments throughout the grass season that yr.
“I might say the choice is form of affecting my mentality going into grass, like I’m not one hundred pc certain if I’m going to go there,” Osaka stated earlier than the beginning of the 2022 grass season.
“I might like to go simply to get some expertise on the grass courtroom, however like on the similar time, for me, it’s form of like – I don’t need to say pointless, no pun meant, however I’m the kind of participant that will get motivated by seeing my rating go up."
Naomi Osaka© Getty Photographs Sport – Shaun Botterill
What Osaka stated about grass earlier than beginning her post-pregnancy comeback?
Whereas Osaka gained 4 Grand Slams early and reached the world No. 1 rating, she has by no means been a extremely dominant or sturdy power on grass. Since making her major draw look on a main-level grass event in 2017, the 26-year-old has had only one semifinal on the floor – she made the 2018 Nottingham semifinal earlier than shedding to Ashleigh Barty.
On the subject of Wimbledon, the previous world No. 1 has by no means made it previous the third spherical – she picked up back-to-back third-round exits at The Championships in 2017 and 2018 earlier than as talked about above shedding within the 2019 Wimbledon first spherical.
Earlier than kicking off her post-pregnancy comeback, Osaka stated her aim was to turn out to be a extra full participant and that included getting higher on grass tournaments. When making that assertion, Osaka talked about that she would purpose to do good at Wimbledon this yr.
“Within the first chapter of my tennis I form of acquired away with simply being myself and enjoying with my instincts," Osaka informed NHK in December.
"I believe I need to be somebody that understands the sport much more.
"I undoubtedly need to win extra Grand Slams and I assume put in additional time within the French Open and Wimbledon, and play the Paris Olympics.”
Naomi Osaka© Getty Photographs Sport – Shaun Botterill
It will likely be fascinating to see how Osaka's return to grass courts after 5 years of absence goes.
