In a recent Instagram story, Naomi Osaka shared an interview by basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, which gave her a new, life-changing perspective on her sports career. The interview touched on an important point that can be applied to any field, including tennis: the idea that nobody is at a career peak all the time and that downs are a necessary part of a successful journey.
The basketball player was asked by a journalist: “Do you view this season as a failure?” Triggered by the question, he responded: “Do you get a promotion every year on your job? No, right. So every year you work is a failure? Yes or no? No. Every year you work, you work towards something, towards a goal, which is to get a promotion, be able to take care of your family, provide a house for them, take care of your parents… You working towards a goal is not a failure, it’s steps to success.”
This statement resonated deeply with Naomi Osaka, who has been very open about the struggles she has faced on and off the court. In the past, she has talked about the pressure she feels as a top athlete, and the expectations that come with it. But after hearing Antetokounmpo’s words, she realized that she had been looking at her career in the wrong way.
Antetokounmpo further pointed out in the…
