Naomi Osaka is feeling good about her appearance again after feeling she was chubby for the past three years until recently.
Osaka returned to tennis at the start of 2024 after being away on maternity leave for the entire 2023 season. Before stepping away from the sport, she struggled with form and confidence throughout the 2022 season.
There was much excitement when Osaka returned to the sport, but her inconsistency throughout the year should not have been a surprise after such a lengthy period away from tennis while on maternity leave.
Osaka's most impressive performance throughout the 2024 season was holding a match point at the French Open against the four-time champion at Roland Garros, Iga Swiatek, after a blistering display of hitting.
However, Swiatek, who accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, staged a stunning comeback from that position and went on to win the title.
Osaka struggled to reach that level consistently throughout the season before her year was ended by a back injury sustained against Coco Gauff at the China Open. Because of that physical issue, she missed the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
While Osaka has thrilled millions of fans worldwide with her brand of tennis, the Japanese star has also spoken eloquently about mental health and her struggles with self-confidence since childhood.
An example was Osaka opening up about her body changing throughout 2024 and how she found it challenging to cope with not swiftly returning her body before becoming pregnant.
Osaka is also in the process of writing a book, and she released an excerpt from that book. In it, she discusses not liking herself as a child but also not disliking herself.
In a recent Instagram story, Osaka updated fans about how she feels about her body. The 27-year-old happily talked about wearing practice clothes again after previously wearing baggier items when not as in shape.
"This outfit looks better in person. I don't think the camera's doing justice, but I think I might be back in my on-court outfit. My practice outfit vibes, because I was wearing baggy clothes 'cause I was chubby the past three years but you know I think we are back. But also, I think its very cool to wear practice clothes."
The four-time Grand Slam appears to be in a good place ahead of the 2025 season. She currently works with Patrick Mouratoglou after parting with Wim Fissette for a second time. Fissette is now coaching Swiatek.
Despite a mixed 2024 season, Osaka still has high hopes for next year. The former WTA No. 1 thinks she can win another Grand Slam, but her level throughout 2025 will need to be better than in 2024.
The sport is definitely better when Osaka is performing at a high level. She is one of the most prominent athletes in all sports, and the WTA Tour would become an incredible spectacle if Osaka challenged Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff.
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