Reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka targeting Olympic glory at Tokyo 2020
Ahead of her Australian Open title defence, Japanese star Naomi Osaka opens up about her ambitions for 2020 and why a Tokyo Olympics gold medal would be the realisation of a childhood dream.
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Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is about to embark on the defence of her Australian Open title. However, in a year that includes an Olympic Games in Tokyo, she tells Marco Monteverde how much a gold medal would mean to her.
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Marco Monteverde: You recently said that you consider the Australian Open as your home Grand Slam because it’s in the Asia/Pacific. How much do you want to win it again this year?
Naomi Osaka: I’d definitely love to win it again. I’m in a position that I can definitely if not this year, then in a year along the line if I keep working as hard as I can. Hopefully that happens this year. I think it’s a very special tournament.
What did winning the 2019 Australian Open mean to you?
It meant a lot, especially after winning the 2018 US Open. Plus I became No. 1 in the world with it, so it did mean a lot. For me, I always love it here so I always wanted to win it
Queenslander Ash Barty is now the world No.1. Are you enjoying your growing rivalry with her?
I don’t know if there’s a rivalry. I’ve played her a couple of times. I’ve been fortunate enough to beat here once, the last time we played, but I think that we’re both growing and we’re both learning so much about each other’s games. She’s number one right now, so she’s got the edge, and also if I do have to play her here, it’s in Australia, which makes it tough, but as for a rivalry, I think we have to play a couple of more times for it to be called that.
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How do you think Barty is coping with pressure associated with being the world No. 1?
She’s doing amazing. For me I was kind of a wreck and all over the place, so just to see her chilled, it’s great, but it’s not a surprise because she has a chilled personality in the place.
You say you were “all over the place” but you also seemed “chilled”. Are you?
Yeah, but I internalise a lot of things. You wouldn’t know but I could be having a meltdown right in front of you now. In saying that, I like interviews. It lets me get to know a person based on the questions.
Are you comfortable with the hype that comes with your status in world tennis?
Yes and no. I feel like, of course I’m in the position that I dreamt about when I was a kid, but there are certain things that I wasn’t really expecting, but it’s something that I’ve gotten used to. I do like the things that come with it.
That included a helicopter trip and arrival this month at the Queensland Tennis Centre for the Brisbane International. How was that?
For me, it was a really good way of seeing the city. I’m privileged to say that. I got to see all the different parts of Brisbane.
You have started your Australian Open build-up in Brisbane for a few years now. What is it about the Brisbane International tournament that keeps bringing you back?
Brisbane for me was my first Australian tournament. I played here when I was 18 before I played the qualifiers of the Australian Open. For me it was very fun. I really liked the vibe that I got when I came here for the first time.
What are your aims for 2020 and how important is it to you win the gold medal at this year’s Olympics in Tokyo?
I want to win the gold medal at the Olympics. That’s been my dream since I was a kid and especially because it’s in Tokyo, that would definitely be very fitting for me. I will try to put myself in a position for that, and hopefully win more Grand Slam tournaments as well.
Because the Olympics are in Tokyo, is gold medal there this year more of a priority than winning grand slam tournaments in 2020? Or is the importance at the same level?
Pressure wise, it’s definitely going to be much higher for me, just because since the Rio Olympics in 2016, Japanese press have been asking me about this. Definitely the feeling’s going to be different for this. I’m not quite sure on an importance level. We have four grand slam tournaments and one Olympics, so I guess I’ll find out when I get there.
Originally published as Reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka targeting Olympic glory at Tokyo 2020