"I was at the Olympics and I failed to find the immense joy in that" - When Naomi Osaka felt a 'deep sense of sadness' about her regretful Tokyo stint
Naomi Osaka once expressed regret about her stint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, saying she felt a "deep sense of sadness" about the whole experience. The event marked the Japanese player's debut at the Games.
The event was special for Osaka, as it took place on her home soil. She also had the honor of becoming the first tennis player ever to light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony.
However, what started on a great note didn't end well, as she crashed out in the third round of the singles competition to Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets. This followed victories over China's Zheng Saisai and Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic.
Reflecting on her Olympic memories, Naomi Osaka took to her Instagram account during the 2022 Winter Games and penned a long note about her experience in Tokyo. The four-time Grand Slam champion wrote that, aside from the cauldron lighting experience, she regretted her time there, as she wasn't able to enjoy it more.
"So the other day I was reflecting on the Olympics, I don’t know if it was because the Winter Olympics are going on now but something had me reminiscing about the time I had. I realized that I had regrets about the whole experience, (not the torch lighting though that was 🔥 literally)," she wrote.
"There was a deep sense of sadness for not having more fun for the time I was there. Can’t believe I was at the Olympics in Tokyo and I failed to consistently find the immense joy in that," she added.
Osaka also wrote that she would take lessons from the event and incorporate them into her life, ensuring she makes the most of her time regardless of the outcome.
"I think that’s gonna be really important in my life going forward, just enjoying the experiences and making the most out of the time no matter how short or long it is lol. Anyways hope you guys are doing well and staying safe, I’m sure I’ll see you around," Naomi Osaka wrote.
Naomi Osaka on Tokyo Olympics 3R loss: "This one s**ks more than the others"
Naomi Osaka spoke with the media after her third-round loss to Marketa Vondrousova at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to bring medal glory to her country. She expressed her disappointment, saying that while she was always upset by her losses, this one hurt more than the others.
"I’m disappointed in every loss, but I feel like this one s**ks more than the others," Osaka said.
The Japanese added that there was a lot of pressure on her since she hadn't played in the Olympics before, and it was overwhelming to have all the expectations on her home soil.
"I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure for this. I think it’s maybe because I haven’t played in the Olympics before and for the first year (it) was a bit much," Osaka said.