Naomi Osaka had a challenging season, but the popular tennis player hopes next year will be successful for her.
In several tournaments this year, she showed great form and made great progress, ending the season as the 16th player in the world. However, a knee injury spoiled her plans, and before the Australian Open, Osaka revealed how she feels ahead of the new season and the Australian Open.
The famous tennis player is currently in Perth and is aware of how important the start of the season will be for her.
“It’s probably one of my favorite parts of the year, for us to be starting here it’s going to be really, really fun and I haven’t been to Perth in a little minute so it’s good to be back,” Osaka said, as quoted by The Tennis Gazette.
United Cup
Osaka will compete at the United Cup this year, representing Japan in the mixed team competition.
The United Cup was introduced in 2022 and takes place at the beginning of the season. The mixed team tournament includes men and women, and the entire tournament is a preparation for the Australian Open.
The famous tennis player pointed out that she feels special before the start of this tournament, aware that she will attract a lot of attention and that she will be the most important figure in her team.
When asked if she was ready for the tournament, she said
“I hope so. I guess I’ll let you know after my first few matches, but I think so. I feel like every year I’m slowly getting stronger, so I hope next year I’m better too.”
The popular tennis player did not have the opportunity to play in this tournament, but she will certainly take it seriously and is aware of the stakes of such a tournament.
“Yeah, I mean it definitely is [special],” said Osaka. “Obviously, I’ve never played the United Cup before, but I think I’m going to try and treat it like the Billie Jean King Cup.”
