‘Literally Went Dormant’- After a Horrendous WTA Season, Questions Ponder Over Naomi Osaka’s Love for Tennis

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has had a rough year. After suffering from mental health issues last year, she made a comeback and failed to leave a mark. Osaka, who once outclassed legends like the 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, couldn’t get past her opening-round opponents this season. 

She gave her fans the bare minimum to hang on to and currently is in a state where her game can’t carry the weight of expectations. People have started raising questions now. Here’s what the veteran Zina Garrison had to say about her.

Garrison about the current situation of Naomi Osaka

While in a recent interview, the 1990 Wimbledon Championships finalists spoke about Osaka’s downfall. She said, “I haven’t heard anything about Naomi since the Open.”

Thereafter, she added, “She literally went dormant. I wish I had more of an inside understanding. But what got pushed back to me talking about it is that Naomi doesn’t really want to be out there. ” 

“Whether or not this is just a phase during which she’s sorting out her mental health issues, or building a brand, or something different remains to be seen,” Garrison concluded. Osaka came as a storm initially. She, in a way, started sneaking dominance on hard courts out of Williams‘ hands. However, her gameplay took a serious hit after her last year’s dispute with, and walk over from the French Open.

Read more: ‘There Were Days Where I Didn’t Even See Her’- Naomi Osaka Dwells Upon Mother’s Unconditional Sacrifice to Make Her Play a Rich Sport

Osaka refused to sit in the post-match press conferences and before the second round walked out of the tournament. She also missed the Wimbledon championships and finally returned through the American swing. Though the damage was already done. 

Naomi Osaka’s only noteworthy run

The two times Australian Open champion, after stumbling on an analytical pick that predicted subpar performance from her end, made a run till the finals of the Miami Open. She showcased her old self’s level of hold and took down almost every opponent in straight sets. 

Watch this story: when Serena Williams had a hilarious challenge for Naomi Osaka’s former coach

Osaka got the better of players such as former World no.1 Angelique Kerber and Swiss professional Belinda Bencic to book a match with Iga Swiatek. However, Swiatek, who was one way of creating a streak that lasted till the clay season, took outclassed Osaka in the same way she did her former rivals. The Japanese lost her first and last trophy of the season 6-4 6-0. Following that, a series of initial rounds dismissal pestered her.