Naomi Osaka has never been shy about her aspirations to return to the top of the sport that she once dominated. The four-time major champion, who defeated Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in her first match of the season on Monday in Auckland, says she won’t accept anything but the best from herself as she commences her second season after returning from maternity leave in 2024.
“I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” 27-year-old Osaka told reporters, according to the AP, ahead of her appearance at the ASB Classic. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while.
“I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
Osaka rose in the rankings in 2024, from outside the Top 800 to her current perch at 57, and…
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