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 have interaction a bit together with her followers so she staged a Q&A session. And since followers observed that she was placing up some massive work on the follow court docket, nearly all of questions centered on that.
“Does it bother you when fans say hi when they see you practicing?” a fan requested.
Though the previous couple of seasons have not been nice result-wise, Osaka remains to be one of the profitable gamers of her technology with 4 Grand Slams. Nonetheless, conducting main success on the most important stage did not change something with reference to how the Japanese views her followers or different individuals.
“Honestly not at all. I still think of myself as the kid practicing on public courts so it’s always a shock and an honor that you guys who I am. Genuinely don’t know how I got here. I’m not able to have full convo’s during my practices however,” the 27-year-old answered.
Naomi Osaka Q&A© Naomi Osaka – Instagram
Osaka goes onerous this preseason
In early October, the previous world No. 1 sustained again and belly accidents which prevented her from taking part in in her final couple of scheduled tournaments. However judging by her newest posts, she has absolutely recovered.
“How’s the off season going!” one other fan requested.
Osaka replied by posting an image that exhibits her hand stuffed with blisters: “Good I think I’m turning into a tennis ball haha.”
Naomi Osaka Q&A© Naomi Osaka – Instagram
For the reason that 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 post more from tennis training 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’ll try my best I always think it’s disrespectful to be on the phone during practice so I rarely get photos/videos. I’ll try to ask someone to film something next time,” she defined.
Naomi Osaka Q&A© Naomi Osaka – Instagram
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 staff. The Belgian was somebody who guided her to Slam wins up to now and she or he hoped they might do one thing comparable 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 distinctive resumes on the Tour. Even the Japanese is a really completed participant herself, she admitted that this partnership was one thing massive for her.
“I think the fact that he was Serena’s coach for me made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big. Then I met him, talked to him, worked with him on the court. He absolutely is a really good coach. I’m really glad that he’s taking this project on as well,” the previous world No. 1 mentioned in early October.
Early of their collaboration, the Japanese made a press release that completely confirmed how a lot she revered Mouratoglou.
“I kind of look to the floor when he looks at me. I think I do need a lot more time to spend together with him. I’m getting a little more comfortable day by 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 profitable 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 he coaches. I think it’s going to be really interesting. I think I’m at a stage in my life that I don’t want to have regrets. I’d rather pull the trigger on something and I don’t want to say ‘fail’, but I feel like I really need to learn as much as possible in this stage of my career. Patrick seemed like the guy with I guess the information that I wanted to learn from. I try not to get into relationships with people for short-term. I try to think of it as a long-term commitment. I like the way he coaches. I think it’s going to be really interesting,” 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.
