Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka said on Saturday that she would “love to compete” in this year's Paris Olympics if tennis leaders give her a spot.
The four-time Grand Slam champion missed his mandatory two Billie Jean King Cup appearances for Japan during the current Olympic cycle and must undergo an appeals process to qualify. You may need to go through it.
Osaka lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Games, which was postponed due to the coronavirus, and advanced to the third round.
She has since become a mother and returned to tennis late last year after a 15-month maternity leave.
After helping Japan reach the BJK Cup final, she told reporters in Tokyo that she would play in Paris “if they let me.”
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“Growing up watching the Olympics on TV, I felt like they were a celebration of sports,” she says.
“I thought it would bring everyone together. Being an athlete there and being able to interact with other athletes is one of the most fun things I've ever done.”
The 26-year-old said she “hopes to be able to play” at the Olympics.
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“If I play, I hope I can do really well and win a medal because I have high ambitions for myself,” she said.
Osaka's world ranking has risen from 831st to 193rd since her return, but she has not made it past the quarterfinals in the last six tournaments.
She said she plans to play “a full season on clay and probably a full season on grass” in the coming months.
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“I hope to do well in clay court tournaments and grass court tournaments,” she said.
“Honestly, I feel like I’m growing every game, so I think it’s possible.”
Osaka played only one match for Japan, defeating Kazakhstan 3-1 and advancing to the BJK Cup final for the first time.
She hit 15 aces and defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6 (7/5).
