Home

Tennis

“I Feel Like I’m a Standup Comedian” – Naomi Osaka Emphasizes the Change She Has Gone Through After an Eventful Last Year

Published 05/20/2022, 11:38 PM EDT

Follow Us

via Reuters

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has been one of the best tennis players going around in recent times. The 24-year-old has already won 4 grand slams at a very young age. Given her popularity. She is currently ranked at the top of the list of high-paid female tennis players. However, the former world number 1 is not in the best of her form after she dramatically pulled out of last year’s French Open mid-way citing mental health anxiety issues.

Also, her return to the game after the break has not been satisfactory. The 24-year-old did well to reach the finals of the Miami Open, where she lost to current world number 1 Iga Swiatek. In the rest of her outings, she has not given any significant performance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Naomi pulled out from the recently concluded Italian Open because of her Achilles injury. However, she is back and roaring to go into the Roland Garros 2022.

In the pre-tournament press conference, Naomi looked pretty confident and composed while answering the questions. One such question she answered was about the changes that she has experienced in herself after all that she went through last year.

‘My Goal Was to Make History’ – Naomi Osaka Recounts Setting Up Her Tennis Goals

Naomi Osaka Is Not Funny Anymore

Replying to a question about what has changed in her life after an eventful last year. The 24-year-old replied that she used to be funnier. As she used to emphasize less what she was going to speak. However, now the scenario has changed as she is very careful with her words and usually molds them according to the preference of the crowd she is addressing to.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tennis (@tennischannel)

“I was funnier back then. I used to be able to like say a joke and not really care if anyone got it like I can re-explain the joke or whatever so, I feel like the thing that’s changed is like me trying to figure out the crowd.” She said.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Also, adding to that, she compared her current condition to that of a standup comedian who has to deliver the jokes as per the taste of the audience. However, she concluded by saying that, still for most of the time, she loves being herself.

“I feel like I’m a standup comedian. And I am trying to figure out what’s ok and what’s not ok. But yeah, I think maybe that’s changed for me. I’m kind of analyzing what I can say and what I can’t say. But for the most part, I try to be kind of myself.” She concluded.

Naomi’s Battle With Mental Health

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Naomi recently talked about her battle with mental health. She said that the main reason obviously was to give herself some time.

via Imago

But eventually, the 24-year-old also wanted to set an example for the future generation of athletes. As the athletes are expected to just keep quiet and play the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story: Rise of a Superstar- Iga Swiatek Victorious Moments on the WTA Tour

Given the public nature of their profession, the felt athletes need to come out and express what they are going through and seek help if needed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Gaurav Verma

1,113Articles

One take at a time

Gaurav Verma is a Tennis Author at EssentiallySports. He has post graduate diploma in management from IILM Graduate School of Management and a BBA degree from Bangalore University. He has 1-year of experience in the banking sector.
Show More>

Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale