Melbourne, Jan 14 (UNI) Naomi Osaka has a lot on her mind as she attempts to recapture the form that took her to four grand slam titles and No. 1 in the tennis world rankings.
The 27-year-old lives in Beverly Hills and while she has been in Auckland and now Melbourne preparing for a tilt at a third Australian Open crown, her mind has also been on the horrendous fires that have ravaged Los Angeles.
The situation became extremely serious for Osaka when the fires came within reach of her house, so she asked a friend to grab a key possession while there was still time, News.com.au reported on Tuesday.
Osaka had her first child in July 2023, a girl called Shai and was desperate to retrieve her birth certificate.
“I was watching the fire map and the fire is like three blocks from my house,” Osaka said in her post-match interview following her first round 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Caroline Garcia.
“So I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate and all that because I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down.
“Sending all my love to LA. I know we hear about fires, but for me in particular, I didn’t know how devastating it could be.
“I just hope everyone’s doing well and I’m sending them all my love.”
The Japanese superstar then battled injury and mental health issues before falling pregnant with her former partner, rapper Cordae, ahead of the 2023 Australian Open.
She has been trying to rediscover her best since returning to the circuit last year and Osaka showed encouraging signs after reaching the final at last week’s ASB Classic in Auckland.
Osaka conceded after her first-round win at Melbourne Park she has struggled at times to maintain her focus while the fires rage back home.
But she is also extremely motivated to extend her stay in Australia as long as possible.
“I’m a great multi-tasker. I do both, I’ll check with the wildfire map any chance that I get just to see what’s happening,” she told reporters.
“Also, I had friends in LA but they’re safe.
“I also feel like it’s tough because I don’t think I’ll go back to LA immediately after.
“Like I don’t feel like it’s safe enough to go back there.
“It’s kind of a little bit in a limbo but also motivating me to hopefully stay here as long as I can.”
