Osaka Wins In First Tournament Since 3 Month Break Due To Anxiety Disorder

JAKARTA - Naomi Osaka overcame the nervousness that surrounded her to win in her first tournament since she decided to take a long break after being knocked out of the US Open in September last year.

The four-time Grand Slam champion previously admitted he had an anxiety disorder following his third-round exit at Flushing Meadow.

However, he is now back for the Melbourne Summer Set as a warm-up before competing at the Australian Open on 17 January.

The defending #AusOpen champion is back in action @naomiosaka faces @alizecornet at the Melbourne Summer Set.#MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/WLA0lr1p8X

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 4, 2022

Quoted from Antara, Tuesday, the tennis player of Japanese descent beat French veteran Alize Cornet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to the last 16 of the WTA 250 tournament at Rod Laver Arena, Monday.

"I'm always happy to be back here. It feels really good to be able to play in front of so many people," Osaka told the crowd in an on-court interview.

Osaka, who did not hold a pre-match press conference, made several mistakes in her first competitive game in four months and admitted she was very nervous.

Melbourne mood @naomiosaka • #MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/RCQP8cEA5p

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 4, 2022

"I feel like I made a lot of mistakes myself, but I think it happened because it was my first match, and I was very nervous," he said.

"I'm very happy to be able to maintain my serve in the last game."

Previously, Osaka, who has now slumped to 13th place, withdrew from last year's French Open and Wimbledon due to mental health problems and refused to attend a press conference with the media after the match.