‘Wouldn’t Want Anyone to Go Through’ – Naomi Osaka Recounts Terrifying Situation at Barclays Centre Boxing Event

Things are not going the way Naomi Osaka would have liked this season. Earlier this year, the Japanese star failed to defend her Australian Open crown, losing against Amanda Anisimova in the third round. Further, she made several early round exits, which resulted in a dip in her WTA ranking.

Recently, the 24-year-old was in attendance at the Barclays Center in New York to witness the boxing match featuring Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero. However, she endured a terrifying experience at the event. During the event, people heard a loud sound inside the arena and suspected that there was a shooting. Subsequently, Osaka along with other people locked themselves in a room. In light of this incident, the four-time Grand Slam champion has penned down a note.

Naomi Osaka opens up about her frightening experience

The Japanese star took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the events at the Barclays Center in New York. She said, “I’m not sure when it happened but over many years I became accustomed to news about mass shootings. It felt as though we just kept repeating the same terrible cycle to the point where I felt my brain turn a switch and start preparing for possibilities in case I would be in a similar situation. I used to love going to the movies. Now on the rare occasion, I do go I always feel my heart clench and my palms become sweaty every time I see a person enter the theater while the movie is ongoing.”

Further, she added, “My experience the other day made me think a lot. I was lucky enough to have a security guard with me and I cannot imagine having to navigate through that situation by yourself, let alone being a child and it not being a false alarm. This feeling of familiarity towards these frequent devastating situations might be exclusive to people living in America but the emotions I experienced in those few minutes I was waiting in that room is something I wouldn’t want anyone to go through.”

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Concluding her remarks, she went on to say, “I read an article the other day about how bulletproof backpacks are selling more and more and that made me cry so hard. I cannot imagine a future if this continues. Something has to evolve, and hopefully, it will be for the better because should not be deemed normal, this is insanity.”

Naomi Osaka’s disappointing French Open 2022 campaign

Last week, Osaka went down against her nemesis, Amanda Anisimova, at the French Open. The Japanese star lost in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 in the opening round clash. Anisimova was dominant right from the start of the match. She gave Osaka little breathing space as she attacked her serves well.

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Can Osaka come back strongly in the upcoming grass-court season? Let us know your views in the comments below.