Osaka admitted that growing older and taking on the duties of motherhood have significantly transformed her outlook, stating “my daughter is my biggest priority”.
“I attempt to channel as much effort as possible into tennis,” she remarked further.
“I wouldn’t claim to be doing it part-time, yet my whole day isn’t consumed by it.
“Looking at it from a certain standpoint, I feel truly proud of my current position since I am unable to devote all my time strictly to tennis.”
Having fought her way back to 19th in the global rankings, Osaka enters this week’s event as the seventh seed, opening her campaign against Jasmine Paolini of Italy.
Earlier in the season, she defeated top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka during her run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals—following a second-place finish on grass at Bad Homburg—and progressed to the round of 16 at both Roland Garros and the US Open.
Throughout the North American hard-court tour, Osaka reached the semifinals in Washington and the top eight in Toronto, with her journey at Flushing Meadows coming to an end against the eventual tournament winner, Elena Rybakina.
“Honestly, I don’t believe I am very far away,” she commented regarding her chances of returning to championship-winning form.
“I feel there are specific instincts that—while not necessarily lost—I might have temporarily forgotten and am now rediscovering, though I really hope I’m close.
“A fairly strong foundation has been established, and I am eager to find out if I can keep absorbing lessons and making deeper runs in competitions.”
In the Tokyo draw, Osaka sits on the opposing side from Kazakh world number one Rybakina, who enters the event having just captured her fourth trophy of the season at China’s Ningbo Open.
The reigning champion comfortably dispatched Leylah Fernandez of Canada 6-2 6-2 in Sunday’s title match, securing her first triumph since her US Open victory last month.
In other action, Daniil Medvedev managed to retain a championship for the first time in his career, overcoming Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 6-3 in the Almaty Open final to claim his 25th career ATP singles trophy and fourth of the current year.
Meanwhile, at the Lyon Open, British duo Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash defeated French opponents Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti 4-6 6-3 10-8 in the men’s doubles decider to capture their 12th ATP team title.
