USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts against Marie Bouzkova of Czech Republic in the first round on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts against Marie Bouzkova of Czech Republic in the first round on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Naomi Osaka has had a disappointing start to the 2022 season. The 24-year-old kicked off her campaign this year at the Melbourne Summer Set 1, which is considered a warm-up tournament for the Australian Open. However, she handed a walkover in the semi-final to Veronika Kudermetova of Russia, citing injury concerns.
Further, in the opening Grand Slam of the season, the Japanese International could not proceed beyond the round-of-32. She went down fighting to Amanda Anisimova of the USA in the third round. It was a see-saw battle, and she failed to win points at crucial junctures, going down in a three-setter thriller. Notably, her ranking has plummeted to No. 85 in the world after failing to defend her Australian Open title.
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Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022. Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts during her third round match against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. REUTERS/Morgan Sette
After her disappointing show at down under, the 4-time Grand Slam champion has returned home to the states. Recently, she was seen at the Dallas Open, cheering for her friend, Christopher Eubanks.
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Naomi Osaka attends the Dallas Open to cheer her close friend Christopher Eubanks
The Japanese star was in Dallas for her boyfriend Cordae’s show. The American rapper was seen performing ‘From A Birds Eye View’, his recently released album. While in town, Osaka also met her friend, Christopher Eubanks, who is plying his trade at the Dallas Open.
Osaka attended the American’s first-round qualifying match, and she proved to be a good omen for him. Eubanks defeated his fellow American, J.J. Wolf, in three sets, to set up a clash with Vasek Pospisil in the final qualifying round.
Good friends are the best. ❤️
In town for her boyfriend Cordae’s Dallas show, @naomiosaka showed up to support @chris_eubanks96 in his win over JJ Wolf at @DALOpenTennis. pic.twitter.com/4ZnvSCaNUq
— Blair Henley (@BlairHenley) February 6, 2022
Moreover, the Japanese also posted a story of her attending the match on her official Instagram handle. The caption read, “this dude got me over here watching tennis for fun.”
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 19, 2022 Japan’s Naomi Osaka in action during her second round match against Madison Brengle of the U.S. REUTERS/James Gourley
With an entire season of tennis remaining to be played, Osaka would be keen to overcome her slow start and get things going. Certainly, she will look to improve her ranking, which has seen a major dip after the Happy Slam.
Do you think Naomi Osaka can make a strong comeback further in the season?
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