“I guess I need to learn how to win again,” conceded Naomi Osaka after the premature end of her 2024 Olympic campaign. The four-time Grand Slam champion was far from her best against Angelique Kerber, who emerged victorious at the end. Therefore, Osaka’s wish to take her nation, Japan, forward in the Games seemed like a distant dream. However, that was not the only regret she had after the clash. Now, as she looks back on her time in Paris, a hint of wistfulness creeps into her voice, hinting at her regrets about the road not taken!
For the 26-year-old Japanese player, the Games have been a complex tapestry of emotions, expectations, and experiences, be it on the tennis court or out of it. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity, the former World No. 1 player desired to fully immerse herself in the enchanting town of the city of love. But there was a catch. Most of the players stayed at the Games Village, a dedicated residence for athletes during the Olympics. To help you visualize, the village spans an area equivalent to 70 football pitches, providing space for more than 14,000 athletes and officials. However, some players chose to make their own arrangements to better suit their requirements, and Osaka was one of them. But sadly, it left her with a tinge of regret.
So, during a pre-tournament press conference in Toronto, where she will be playing next, when she was inquired, “I wondered if you could compare your experience in Tokyo 2020 where you had a lot of responsibilities there and cool things that you got to participate in to this time here or not,” Osaka’s confession revealed a different perspective. “I would say in Tokyo I was definitely really stressed. And in Paris I felt like a lot more fun and obviously there were spectators there so it was a lot different but I didn’t stay in the village so that is something that I regret a little bit not having the full experience. Overall, I think it was fun.”