Every Naomi Osaka fan was waiting for the moment! But as soon as the comeback moment came, it took an unexpected turn. A turn that was not expected and challenged Mount on her path to triumph, leaving fans and critics alike questioning the narrative of her return to glory. Why a lot of tennis fans and tennis personalities would quit looking up to her comeback, Martina Navratilova has a different opinion to share.

Even though the Japanese tennis player tried her best to make a comeback at the Australian Open, at the same time somewhere on the line she was not able to impress Navratilova with her comeback. Recently, the 59-time Grand Slam champion shared her take on Osaka’s performance in the Australian Open.

Martina Navratilova claims that Naomi Osaka is ‘not in shape’

Recently, the four-time Grand Slam champion faced a first-round defeat, but at the same time, it was halted by Caroline Garcia. Throughout the match, Osaka struggled to find her rhythm and her form, while her opponent did make her way to the tournament. After the match, while speaking to Tennis Channel, Navratilova gave her thoughts on the Japanese tennis player’s performance in the match.

She stated, “Tennis-wise, maybe a B+, but overall, a C because she [Naomi Osaka] couldn’t get to the ball that she wants to hit because she’s not in shape. I’m surprised that she really started playing, that she got on the tour, and that she played this tournament without clearly being in the top shape that she needs to be in order to put herself in the position to hit the big, big balls.”

She clearly stated that the new mom needs to get fitter to achieve victories on the tennis court. Along with that, she also highlighted that she was surprised to see that the four-time Grand Slam champion joined the tour without being in her best shape to yield victories on the court.

Read more: ‘Always Wanted to Help…’ – A Proud Naomi Osaka Uses Her Platform to Aid a Struggling Tennis Player

Although Osaka might have upset Navratilova, at the same time she has a lot of expectations from her. Not only that, even Osaka openly talked about her defeat and highlighted the problems that she could see through herself.

Osaka reveals that a voice in her head saying that she can’t ‘immediately start winning matches’

During her post-match press conference after the defeat, she clearly stated how she struggled throughout the match due to her extended break. Along with that she also highlighted that she finds motivation within herself by reminding herself that it’s alright considering that she was pregnant just 6 months ago.

She stated, “I have to tell myself, ‘Hey, like six months ago you were pregnant’, stuff like that. Of course, like, there’s a voice in my head that is, ‘Who are you to think you can come back and immediately start winning matches’.” In addition, by keeping herself motivated she also figured out that she was constantly on her back foot while she was quite overthinking, in between the match.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Osaka’s first-round defeat? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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