Naomi Osaka's Brave Comeback: Triumphs Beyond Tennis

Naomi Osaka returns to Roland Garros, reflecting on her mental health journey and triumphs beyond tennis. Once the world's highest-paid female athlete and a vocal advocate for racial and mental health issues, Osaka now returns to the Summer Games, eager to compete with newfound perspective and resilience.

Naomi Osaka is back at Roland Garros, a place that marked a significant moment in her life. She spent recent years away from tennis for mental health breaks and motherhood. At the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, expected to be a star, her performance fell short.

Now, Osaka returns to the tour and the Summer Games, set to face Angelique Kerber. It's at Roland Garros, during the 2021 French Open, that she first opened up about her anxiety and depression and withdrew from the tournament. Speaking about the 2022 French Open, Osaka described feeling nervous and judged but remains hopeful for a different experience this time.

Accomplished at just 26, Osaka has reached No. 1 in tennis rankings, won four Grand Slam titles, and was the world's highest-paid female athlete. She co-founded an athlete management agency and production company, drew attention to racial injustice, and advocated for mental health. Her agent says these experiences have relaxed her, making her more focused yet happy on the court. Despite past pressures, Osaka eagerly anticipates representing Japan, her birthplace, in the Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)