Naomi Osaka said she had felt “ungrateful” at events Over the previous yr for not absolutely appreciating her life as Definitely one of many world’s prime tennis gamers.
The world quantity two sealed a comeback victory over Coco Gauff On the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday, her first event outdoors the Olympics since withdrawing from the French Open in Might.
She pulled out of Roland Garros after being punished for refusing to do media conventions, saying her psychological well being was adversely impacted by sure strains of questioning.
Osaka shed tears and briefly left a press convention in Cincinnati on Monday when requested about her relationship with the media and returned to the theme on Wednesday.
“I used to be questioning why was I so affected, I assume, like what made me not Want to do media,” the 23-yr-previous tprevious a information convention.
“I am questioning if I used to be scared, as a Outcome of typically I might see headstrains of like gamers dropping After which the headline The subsequent day Can be like a collapse or They are not that good anymore.
“So then I used to be considering me waking up Daily, for me, I ought to really feel like I am worthwhile. Like, The selection to go On the market and play, to go see followers That people come out and watch me play, that itself is an accomplishment.
“I am Not sure when alongside The biggest method I started desensitizing that. Choose it started not being like an accomplishment for me. So I felt like I used to be very ungrateful on that actuality.”
Worldwide perspective
The 4-events Grand Slam champion said the restrictions imposed Because of COVID-19 pandemic had made issues “actually tense” her however current events in Haiti and Afghanistan led to a change in her outlook.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has killed Greater than 2,000 people in Haiti — the nation the place her father was born — the placeas Afghanistan has been in turmoil.
“Seeing the state of the world, like how every thing is in Haiti, Afghanistan proper now, Is certainly actually loopy,” she said.
“And for me To solely be hitting a tennis ball in America proper now and have people come and watch me play … I’ve to be myself On This event pretty than anyone else On the earth.”
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/naomi-osaka-ungrateful-attitude-tennis-press-1.6146016