“I really had a blast on court for the first time in a while,” Osaka informed Self later. “I have a new perspective and I’m so appreciative that I have this career and platform. I’m also really energized and motivated.”
Reflecting on how far she ‘d come given that going public with her battles, she informed People last April, “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to try to be present in each moment. It’s easy to lose sight of how far you’ve come, but I’ve been prioritizing trying to live in the moment and enjoy the journey.”
And her spirits stayed high as the year went on, the professional athlete tweeting July 30, “Just went through my old notes from last year…wow I’m basically a whole different person now,” and on Aug. 4, “I’m really at peace with myself. I didn’t think I would ever feel like this, it’s kinda fascinating lol.”
She likewise funneled a few of her well-earned knowledge into a kids’s book, The Way Champs Play, publishing an image of her puppy Butta appearing to scan the brilliantly detailed pages.
“For me, I just remember being really inspired by books growing up,” Osaka described to Roberts on GMA last month, “so just to hopefully pass that feeling on to the next generation is really cool.”
And it ends up the next generation is on its method, all set to point at the tennis court– or the bookshelf– and state, “That’s my mom.”
