Osaka: "I Have High Hopes for Myself in the Australian Open"

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Last season for Naomi Osaka had as many highlights as shadows. The Japanese player started 2025 strongly by reaching the final in Auckland and later winning the WTA 125 trophy in Saint Malo, a title that put her back in the spotlight and gave her hopes for the near future.

Despite these good results, reaching the final in Canada and making it to the semifinals of the US Open, Naomi had to withdraw from the Osaka tournament due to discomfort that prevented her from continuing to accumulate victories on the court. Now, the Japanese player has a new opportunity to prove herself.

Osaka and her expectations for the Australian Open 2026

“It was definitely very tough. I don’t know, I feel like everything happens for a reason. I think, in my case, it allowed me to reset. Obviously, Japan, both Osaka and Toray, were very important to me. It was devastating not being able to play those tournaments. I just had to take the good, which was performing well at the US Open. Obviously, I have high hopes for myself heading into Melbourne, but I can only live one day at a time and one match at a time. That’s what I’m trying to do now,” Osaka said at a press conference.

Naomi Osaka and her role in the United Cup 2026

“I definitely feel better every day, but it’s ironic, literally every time someone asks me, I say I’m fine, and then I start coughing. I just won’t jinx it. I don’t know what’s going on with the cough. I think I’ll be fine for the Australian Open. I guess for some, I’m a veteran. In my head, I’m always learning from everyone. That’s what I appreciate most about being on this team: everyone is amazing and each has their own personality. It’s great to see how we fit together as a team. I appreciate being able to interact more.

It’s been a lot of fun for me. I’ve always wanted to play and also wanted to see what it’s all about. Just being here with this team is really amazing. I feel like I’ve created very good memories from the start of this year. Honestly, I had a lot of fun cheering from the bench. It was great, I enjoyed it so much, so I’m grateful for that.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Osaka: “Tengo muchas esperanzas puestas en mí misma para el Open de Australia”