“It’s a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn’t miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to. I try and tell myself ‘it’s fine you’re doing great, just get through this one and keep pushing’, mentally it’s really draining though. Internally I hear myself screaming ‘what the hell is happening?!?!’”
She also likened it to being post-partum, adding: “The only feeling I could liken how I feel right now to is being postpartum. That scares me because I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3, the tennis racquet should feel like an extension of my hand. I don’t understand why everything has to feel almost brand new again.”
But Osaka is still motivated by the “process” and wants to show her daughter, Shai, that hard work pays off. Despite her recent struggles, the Japanese tennis star is looking forward to returning to Flushing Meadows for the last Grand Slam of the year.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk