New York ¨C Naomi Osaka didn¡¯t bring any rackets with her when she arrived at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Wednesday afternoon. Osaka had no plans to play tennis.
¡°For me, coming back here, it means a lot,¡± said Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion. ¡°It¡¯s like seeing an old friend that you haven¡¯t seen in a long time.¡±
Osaka was speaking in the main news conference room on Wednesday inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. She knows it well. It¡¯s where she got to field questions from reporters on some of her best occasions, like her U.S. Open championships in 2018 and 2020. It¡¯s also where she has been during low moments, including a first-round exit at last year¡¯s tournament.
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