Naomi Osaka says she is going to by no means be bothered by followers greeting her throughout practices as a result of it nonetheless feels surreal to her to be the place she is now.
On Instagram, the Japanese tennis star determined to interact a bit together with her followers so she staged a Q&A session. And since followers observed that she was placing up some large work on the follow court docket, nearly all of questions centered on that.
“Does it trouble you when followers say hello once they see you practising?” a fan requested.
Though the previous few seasons have not been nice result-wise, Osaka remains to be one of the vital profitable gamers of her era with 4 Grand Slams. Nevertheless, engaging in main success on the most important stage did not change something with regard to how the Japanese views her followers or different individuals.
“Truthfully under no circumstances. I nonetheless consider myself as the child practising on public courts so it is at all times a shock and an honor that you just guys who I’m. Genuinely do not understand how I obtained right here. I am not capable of have full convo’s throughout my practices nevertheless,” the 27-year-old answered.
Osaka goes laborious this preseason
In early October, the previous world No. 1 sustained again and stomach accidents which prevented her from taking part in in her final couple of scheduled tournaments. However judging by her newest posts, she has totally recovered.
“How’s the off season going!” one other fan requested.
Osaka replied by posting an image that reveals her hand stuffed with blisters: “Good I feel I am turning right into a tennis ball haha.”
Because the four-time Main winner is seemingly decided to enter the 2025 season as prepared as potential, her followers wish to see common updates.
“Will you please submit extra from tennis coaching this preseason please?” one query learn.
Whereas Osaka famous she understands her followers, she highlighted that she would not favor to make use of cellphone throughout her practices.
“Sorry I will attempt my greatest I at all times assume it is disrespectful to be on the cellphone throughout follow so I not often get images/movies. I will attempt to ask somebody to movie one thing subsequent time,” she defined.
Osaka now works with Serena Williams’ ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou
Earlier than launching her post-pregnancy return, the previous world No. 1 additionally introduced again Wim Fissette to her crew. The Belgian was somebody who guided her to Slam wins prior to now and she or he hoped they might do one thing related once more but it surely did not occur. The 2 ended up separating after the US Open.
Then, Osaka made a blockbuster transfer and employed Mouratoglou, who has one of the vital distinctive resumes on the Tour. Even the Japanese is a really achieved participant herself, she admitted that this partnership was one thing large for her.
“I feel the truth that he was Serena’s coach for me made me wish to keep away from him simply because his persona is so large. Then I met him, talked to him, labored with him on the court docket. He completely is a extremely good coach. I am actually glad that he is taking this venture on as nicely,” the previous world No. 1 stated in early October.
Early of their collaboration, the Japanese made an announcement that completely confirmed how a lot she revered Mouratoglou.
“I form of look to the ground when he seems at me. I feel I do want much more time to spend along with him. I am getting slightly extra snug day-to-day,” she admitted.
After Williams, the French coach additionally had stints with Simona Halep, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune. And since Osaka needs to return to successful Grand Slams, she felt that he was the right man to assist her elevate her sport and obtain her post-pregnancy targets.
“I like the way in which he coaches. I feel it will be actually attention-grabbing. I feel I am at a stage in my life that I do not wish to have regrets. I would quite pull the set off on one thing and I do not wish to say ‘fail’, however I really feel like I really want to study as a lot as potential on this stage of my profession. Patrick appeared just like the man with I suppose the knowledge that I wished to study from. I attempt to not get into relationships with individuals for short-term. I attempt to think about it as a long-term dedication. I like the way in which he coaches. I feel it will be actually attention-grabbing,” she defined two months in the past.
After seeing the Japanese’s Instagram posts, it’s secure to say that she purchased into Mouratoglou’s philosophy and that she is severe about her intentions.
In the meantime, Osaka will begin her 2025 within the first week of the season in Auckland.