Naomi Osaka shares cryptic message about knowing one's 'value' ahead of beginning her 2025 season

Naomi Osaka recently shared a cryptic message about understanding and knowing one's value as she prepares to kick off her 2025 season. Osaka wrapped up her 2024 season by competing at the China Open.

Osaka made it to the fourth round in Beijing, where she faced eventual champion Coco Gauff . However, she had to retire from the match due to a lower back injury. The former World No.1 was next scheduled to compete at the 2024 Pan Pacific Open and also represent Japan at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. However, she had to withdraw from both events due to the same injury, along with torn abdominal muscles.

Osaka has since returned to the practice courts and resumed working out at the gyms.

Recently, the former World No.1 took to social media to share a post by author Case Kenny where he discussed the importance of recognizing one's own "value."

“If they can't afford you value, it's not your job to give them a discount," Kenny wrote.

Osaka re-shared the post on her own social media account, expressing her agreement with Kenny's sentiments by simply writing "real."

“Real," Osaka captioned her Instagram story.

Screen grab of Naomi Osaka's Instagram story [Image Source: Instagram]

Naomi Osaka best result of the 2024 season came at the Qatar Open, where she reached the quarterfinals before being defeated by Karolina Pliskova. She also made it to the last eight at the Libema Open but was ultimately bested by Bianca Andreescu.

Osaka participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments this year. While she reached the second round at the French Open, Wimbledon Championships, and the US Open, she lost in the first round of the Australian Open.

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Naomi Osaka's first tournament of the 2025 season will be the ASB Classic

Naomi Osaka at the 2017 ASB Classic [Source: Getty]

Naomi Osaka's first tournament of the 2025 season will be the ASB Classic. The event is slated to run from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, at the ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.

Having last competed in 2017, Osaka will be making a return to the WTA 250 hard court tournament after a hiatus of eight years. Talking about playing at the ASB Classic, the former World No.1 said:

“I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course, playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time. I am excited to return to Auckland for the ASB Classic 2025.” [via ASB Classic].

In 2017, Osaka had secured a victory over Annika Beck in the first round. She then progressed to the quarterfinals following the withdrawal of the second-seeded Venus Williams due to a right arm injury. However the former World No.1's campaign ended in the quarterfinals after she was forced to retire from her match against Ana Konjuh.