Naomi Osaka is making her return to the U.S. Open after a two-year absence, drawing inspiration from her childhood memories of attending the tournament as a fan. The 26-year-old tennis star, who has won four Grand Slam titles including two U.S. Open championships in 2018 and 2020, expressed that being at the tournament site evokes nostalgia for her early days in New York when she watched her favorite players like Rafael Nadal, Serena and Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova.
Despite her past successes, Osaka emphasized that she doesn't dwell on her previous victories but rather focuses on the joy and excitement she felt as a young spectator. Born in Japan and raised in New York since the age of 3, Osaka credits her childhood experiences at the U.S. Open for providing a sense of comfort and motivation as she prepares to compete once again.
