Osaka surprises by explaining why she withdrew from the Cincinnati tournament
The Japanese player, true to her mysterious style, spoke at a press conference about her objectives at this US Open and what she feels on the court at this stage of her career.
As every time we reach this stop on the calendar, the name of Naomi Osaka inevitably comes up due to her great achievements at the US Open. Surely, the Japanese doesn't arrive this time at her best moment, but it is always interesting to hear her in a press conference to understand her starting point before the competition.
Naomi Osaka and her strongest message at the US Open
“Honestly, I don’t do anything to send a message. I think it just ends up being that way. I literally do the things I like to do and I feel that people connect with it, and I am very happy and grateful for that because I feel that, because of the type of person I am, many people can see themselves reflected in me. I really love that about myself. Sometimes I have random ideas at two in the morning and, when they come to my mind, I just want to do them. For fashion, I was inspired when Nike said that the theme was basketball. The NBA and WNBA have their entrances through the tunnel, and I know that one year in Toronto they wanted us to do something similar, but it never quite worked out. I felt that New York was a good place to try it.”
The figure of Allen Iverson is key to understanding her
“For me, he is a pioneer. I think he is also someone I admire a lot because he has done many things in fashion, whether intentionally or not, and he has changed the way NBA players dress. I also think that all the conversation about clothing in sports and expressing yourself through your style is something I admire him for. Right now, I have had no communication with him, but I hope he sees this.”
For Osaka, nothing is above being a mother
“Yes, I feel I have played many matches. Honestly, this is the surface I feel most comfortable on, but I think people forget that my main job is being a mother. This is a bit my secondary job. It just happens that I am quite good at it. My daughter needed me to be at home, and for me, that was the priority.”
Osaka reveals the dark side of tennis
“It's not that I am against tennis. I feel that it teaches you many things. I think I have many characteristics I like and that I know I acquired thanks to the sport, and I think that sports, in general, are very good for children. It teaches discipline and many other things. But with tennis, I don’t know, maybe I’m anchored in my ideas, but I think it can go two ways: that she really wants to play professionally or that she doesn't want to. And I think those are things I cannot control. She loves moving her little racket around and she hasn't been on a real court yet. Maybe I will tell you how it goes in a couple of years.”
A very clear goal in this US Open
“My goal in this tournament is the same as in all the tournaments I play. I feel that I always say ‘I wish’, but I think if I prepare well and do my job, I will go far. I don’t want to say ‘I wish’ again, but I will. I think I have a good track record here, so I can rely on that and use it as confidence. I feel good. I come from Toronto and I had quite a good result there, so we’ll see what happens.”
“Children are the future”
“I really enjoy moments like this. I think children are the future. Not just children: anyone who, for some reason, sees me as a role model, I think it’s also my job to encourage them to continue and move forward in whatever field they dedicate themselves to. At that specific moment, they were children with tennis balls. I remember when I was younger and was here, and I can only hope they keep moving forward.”
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Osaka sorprende al explicar por qué renunció a jugar el torneo de Cincinnati