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Tennis: Naomi Osaka's tears of joy after qualifying for the Miami final

2022-04-01T07:24:57.821Z


The former tennis world No. 1, who has suffered from mental anxiety for months, has qualified for the Miami Open final. She confronts


Tears !

Naomi Osaka couldn't hold back her tears…Again.

But this time it was about tears of joy.

After leaving the Indian Wells tournament court in tears, where she was insulted by the California public (“Naomi, you suck!”) and collapsed in the middle of a match two weeks ago, the he former world number 1 smiled again during the Miami tournament.

She showed newfound mental strength to overthrow, on the night of Thursday to Friday, in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) the Swiss Belinda Bencic (28th).

“I didn't feel like I understood her game at all and yet I managed to win, she said on the court after the match, her eyes misty… She's an extraordinary player.

I would like to have him back.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone.

The atmosphere was really good.

"Damn, I'm still crying!"

But this tournament means a lot to me,” she added with a smile that obviously contrasted with her tears from Indian Wells.

seeing Naomi Osaka happy is absolutely everything pic.twitter.com/C563PimBl2

— Jessie (@jessiehosking) March 31, 2022

The 24-year-old Japanese, down to 77th place after being at the top of the WTA rankings due to anxiety problems, would she - finally - see the end of the tunnel?

Just a few days ago the question about her future in professional tennis arose seriously for the one who had confided, at the time of Roland-Garros last June, to be in the grip of anxiety for several years.

Since then, several moments of distress have occurred.

First at the Cincinnati tournament in August, then the following month at the US Open, at a press conference, after her surprise elimination in the third round against the Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

She then took a break and only returned to competition in January at the Australian Open.

Defending champion, she was released in the third round.

Two weeks ago, Osaka started working with a therapist and she said she felt the first benefits of this approach.

This was seen in Miami, since she won her first four matches without losing the slightest set and even less her means, auguring the return of the formidable champion that she was, quadruple winner in Grand Slams (Open Australia in 2019 and 2021, US Open in 2018 and 2020).

That's Class-of-'97 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 🎓@naomiosaka |

#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/UXHHSJo2v2

— wta (@WTA) March 31, 2022

Against Bencic, Osaka showed that she once again knew how to react to adversity.

Relying on her powerful serve (18 aces), she regained the upper hand to equalize with one set everywhere, displaying great determination, often clenching her fists and hopping between exchanges to better move forward.

"At this point, I need to assert myself," she explained.

Faced with such strong players, I must not let myself be defeated.

If I had had that negative feeling, it could have cost me the victory.

»

In the final, Osaka will face Iga Swiatek.

The in-form player on the women's circuit.

The Polish dominated in 2 sets (6-2, 7-5) the American Jessica Pegula (21st) and signs her 16th victory in a row.

At 20, the winner of Roland-Garros in 2020 can achieve the "sunshine double" (doubled Indian Wells / Miami).

She will officially reach the top of the WTA rankings on Monday thanks to her performances and… the retirement of Australian Ashleigh Barty.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2022-04-01

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