Already a two-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka is aiming to add to her title collection by triumphing at the Olympic Games next year.
Osaka, who is the first Asian player in the Open Era to reach world No.1, is hoping to triumph at the games in her home country. Tokyo will host the four-year sporting extravaganza for the first time since 1964. The tennis tournament will take place at the Ariake Tennis Park, which is the venue of the Pan Pacific Open.
21-year-old Osaka is expected to be one of the star attractions for the Japanese audience at the games, whose popularity has soared within the past 18 months. Signing numerous endorsement deals with companies such as All Nippon Airways, Nissan car manufacturer and Nissin Food Group. One survey conducted by Central Research Services Inc found that Osaka’s win over Serena Williams in the US Open final was the most memorable sporting event in the Heisei era. A period covering 1989 until the present day.
“I do think about winning gold and it would mean a lot if I was able to achieve that and win a gold medal because you dream of such moments,” Osaka said during an interview with ITF Magazine.
“When you are a kid you don’t dream of silver or bronze. Even though winning silver or bronze is an incredible achievement, every athlete wants gold and it has always been something that I have imagined.”
Since tennis was reintroduced back into the Olympics in 1988, only one Japanese player has managed to win an Olympic medal. That was Kei Nishikori, who claimed a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition at the 2016 Rio Games. Prior to Nishikori, Japan’s last Olympic triumph in the sport was in 1920.
Speaking about the prospect of winning an Olympic gold medal, Osaka believes it would be the ‘biggest thing she achieved in her career.’ A bold statement from a young player who has already broken numerous milestones for Asian tennis.
“Winning gold would be the biggest thing I would have achieved in my career, although in some ways that is simply because of timing. I contest Grand Slams every year but an Olympic Games is only once every four years so there are not many opportunities to become an Olympic champion.” She explained.
“Everyone who competes at the Olympics wants to be an Olympic champion, so that would be my aim.”
There had been speculation over whether Osaka would continue to represent Japan. She holds both American and Japanese citizenship after growing up in America. Her mother is from Japan and Father is from Haiti. Under Japanese law, a person with dual nationality must choose which Nationality they fully want to be by their 22nd birthday.
Now the speculation is over, Osaka is ready to embrace her first Olympic experience. Growing up, she said one of the Olympians who inspired her was Sprinter Usian Bolt because she ‘just loved watching him dominate.’ Bolt won eight gold medal between 2008-2016.
“Representing Japan at an Olympic Games and winning gold for Japan would mean so much,” said Osaka.
“Technically, I represent Japan at every tournament but I do think the Olympics is going to be different and will be a very big memory for me.
“As I say, winning gold in Tokyo is something that I have dreamed about, but there are also other things about the Olympics which I am looking forward to, such as the Opening Ceremony – the celebrations in the stadium and throughout the country will just be incredible.”
Statistical analysis company Gracenote Sports forecasts that Japan will win 67 medals next year. Their findings are based on athletes results since 2016. According to The Japan Times, Osaka is predicted to win a silver medal
The Olympic Games will get underway on July 24th 2020.
2020 Olympic tennis schedule
Saturday 25 July
Men’s Singles First Round
Women’s Singles First Round
Men’s Doubles First Round
Women’s Doubles First Round
Sunday 26 July
Men’s Singles First Round
Women’s Singles First Round
Men’s Doubles First Round
Women’s Doubles First Round
Monday 27 July
Men’s Singles Second Round
Women’s Singles Second Round
Men’s Doubles Second Round
Women’s Doubles Second Round
Tuesday 28 July
Men’s Singles Second Round
Women’s Singles Third Round
Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals
Women’s Doubles Second Round
Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals
Wednesday 29 July
Men’s Singles Third Round
Women’s Singles Quarterfinals
Men’s Doubles Semifinals
Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals
Mixed Doubles First Round
Thursday 30 July
Men’s Singles Quarterfinals
Women’s Singles Semifinals
Women’s Doubles Semifinals
Mixed Doubles Quarterfinals
Friday 31 July
Men’s Singles Semifinals
Men’s Doubles Gold Medal Match
Men’s Doubles Bronze Medal Match
Mixed Doubles Semifinals
Saturday 1 August
Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match
Women’s Singles Gold Medal Match
Women’s Singles Bronze Medal Match
Women’s Doubles Bronze Medal Match
Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Match
Sunday 2 August
Men’s Singles Gold Medal Match
Women’s Doubles Gold Medal Match
Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Match
