Naomi Osaka admits she could also be "nostalgic" but additionally provides that tennis has undoubtedly developed as a sport since she arrived on the WTA Tour.
When Osaka first drew main consideration to herself in 2018 by successful Indian Wells and the US Open, a few of the finest gamers from that interval included Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki. As you may discover, all the talked about gamers are actually retired.
This week, Osaka made her first look in Wuhan since 2017. And in her return to the Chinese language WTA 1000 match, the Japanese – who is ready to have fun her twenty eighth birthday subsequent Thursday – was requested if she may evaluate between the 2 previous and the current period.
Osaka: I could also be nostalgic to some individuals… Tennis has developed
“My reminiscence is so unhealthy I wouldn’t have the ability to let you know. Clearly Serena and Venus (Williams) and Maria Sharapova was right here. So there was all the like, nostalgic gamers. Now I’m somewhat careworn and I’m questioning if I’m a nostalgic participant for some individuals! However yeah, I believe tennis has developed loads. Everybody strikes fairly effectively, and everybody can hit a winner. So it’s somewhat bit totally different," the 27-year-old stated.
As you in all probability know, Osaka achieved a serious success very early in her profession. In 2018, she upset Williams to win her first Grand Slam title on the US Open. Shortly after turning 23, the Japanese lifted her fourth Main trophy on the 2021 Australian Open.
Whereas the Japanese has been battling to succeed in her outdated heights, girls's tennis has had new faces main for the previous couple of years as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff have had essentially the most success since 2022.
At this previous US Open, Osaka made her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2021. Afterward, the previous world No. 1 underlined that she was nonetheless dreaming of successful at the very least yet another Main earlier than retiring.
