Naomi Osaka, who rocketed to prominence with her success in defeating Serena Williams in the first round of the 2016 U.S. Open, told Time Magazine that she was relieved to be ending her “crazy” 15-month hiatus from tennis. In January of this year, Osaka shocked the tennis world by falling to countrywoman Monica Puig in the first round of the Australian Open — her first defeat in a major tournament. She announced her retirement from tennis after the defeat. But on Friday, Osaka returned to win the same title that her idol — one-time nemesis Williams — once held.
“I saw the state of the world. It’s very sad,” said Osaka. “Before I just try my best, I don’t think about the world and my family and friends. I was a little too focused on my game. And I was just thinking about the tournament for a long time.”
For now, Osaka said that she plans to focus on her development and self-education, but added that she may return to tennis in the future, despite her reservations.
Read the full story at Time.
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