Australian Open: Naomi Osaka Optimistic About Competing in First Round Despite Injury
Click to start listening
Melbourne, Jan 10 (NationPress) Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is feeling positive about her chances of competing in the first-round match of the season-opening Grand Slam, despite receiving a not-so-great report from an MRI scan regarding her abdominal injury.
The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the finals of the ASB Classic as part of her preparations for the first major tournament of the year, but had to withdraw and undergo an MRI scan. Although she refrained from sharing detailed results on Friday, Osaka stated that she is prepared to face French player Caroline Garcia in her opening match.
"I’m typically a very straightforward person, but I might not fully disclose my thoughts on that question," Osaka informed the media on Friday. "The MRI results weren’t fantastic, but they weren’t negative either. I’m quite hopeful that I will play my match. I've practiced well during the last two days since my arrival here."
The 27-year-old has taken heart from her performance in the WTA event held in Auckland and has mentally progressed from the disappointment she experienced after withdrawing from the final in that tournament.
"It was frustrating because it felt like my body wasn’t aligning with my mental expectations, and I was genuinely worried about my prospects here. I believed the best course of action was to withdraw, even if it was against my wishes," Osaka reflected.
This sentiment was heightened by her experiences last year, which involved significant rebuilding after an extended maternity leave. "That moment was a culmination of early-round exits in 2024 and my aspirations to reach a final, and then when I finally got there, I was unable to continue," she noted.
"Surprisingly, I’ve moved past it now. Within about 30 minutes of that occurrence, I had moved on because I felt I was playing quite well, and I can only progress from here, with hopes of reaching another final."
Osaka parted ways with her long-time coach Wim Fissette in September and has rejoined Patrick Mouratoglou.
