Near-death experience gives Naomi Osaka perspective

A "near-death" experience off coast of Turks and Caicos Islands has given reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka a new perspective heing into 2020 season. An upbeat Osaka told reporters ahe of season-opening Brisbane International that she h tried to have a bit of fun and experience new things during off-season, which meant her "first vacation ever". "It was really fun -- my sister was re. She me me pdleboard, and n current took us and I almost died," a smiling Osaka said.

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Near-death experience gives Naomi Osaka perspective

Osaka said she and her sister h been in shallow waters but she ticed a current h taken m away from shore.

"I'm like, how far out are you trying to take us, because it's black, like, water is black w, and house is like a tiny dot, and I can't really swim that well," she said.

"I just feel like I'm experiencing so many things in my life and everything's really fun and I'm trying to take it all into... perspective that se are things that I've never thought I was going to be able to do."

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Osaka, 22, burst onto scene in 2018 when she beat Serena Williams to win US Open, n followed that up by winning 2019 Australian Open. Japanese star reached number one on world rankings in 2019 and finished year at number three, behind Australia's Ash Barty and Czech Karolina Pliskova. She said a sore shoulder meant she h t spent as much time on court in off-season as in previous years.

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"I didn't play for most of vember, which was a first for me," she said.

"I've never really taken that long of a break before. But I think it was really necessary because my shoulder was kind of worn down.

"But after that, I just did rehab and slowly started playing again and I think that that worked out really well because I don't feel anything in my shoulder, and I like to think that I'm playing well right w."

Osaka opens her Brisbane International campaign against world number 23 Maria Sakkari of Greece. 

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