Naomi Osaka: Australian Open champ is back and ‘has really stepped up’, coach Yutaka Nakamura says

‘We’re here for a reason’, Japanese star’s personal trainer insists ahead of comeback from mental health-related hiatus

Nakamura reflects on learning from ‘Generation Z’ athlete Osaka’s social media advocacy during the Covid-19 era

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Reigning champion Naomi Osaka (centre) of Japan with team staff at a training session before the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:19pm, 15 Jan 2022Updated: 1:01pm, 16 Jan 2022

Reigning Australian Open women’s singles champion Naomi Osaka is back to her physical and psychological best after a mental health-related hiatus from the sport, according to her personal trainer Yutaka Nakamura.

After failing to defend her US Open title last year, the 24-year-old Japanese star tearfully announced post-event she had fallen out of love with the sport.

The former world No 1 had been criticised after withdrawing from last year’s French Open having been fined for skipping media obligations.

Naomi Osaka (second from left) in a practise session with coach Wim Fissette (left), strength and conditioning coach Yutaka Nakamura (third from left) and Natsuko Mogi (right) before her Australian Open title defence in Melbourne. Photo: AFP

Osaka made her competitive return at a warm-up event in Melbourne this month, winning three matches and pulling out of the semi-final because of the “shock from playing back-to-back tennis matches after the break I took”. The world No 13 faces Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the first round of her grand slam title defence on Monday.

“This is my second year working with Naomi and I have all the data and statistics from past – how much she’s lifted, how fast she’s running, her treadmill trajectory,” said Nakamura, who previously helped Maria Sharapova to two grand slams and two world No 1 rankings.

“Based on that, I could step [training] up to the next level – and she really has stepped up.

“Yes, I believe [Osaka is back]. She stopped playing a little bit after the US Open and realised [tennis] is a good challenge and, most importantly, that she feels herself on the court. That’s what made Naomi Osaka what she is now. That’s when she shines.”

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