TOKYO, Sept 19, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Struggling Naomi Osaka admitted Monday

that she had gone through "more down than up" this year as she tries to break
out of her slump at her home Pan Pacific Open this week.

The former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion has plummeted
to 48 in the women's tennis world rankings after a wretched run that has seen
her crash out in the first round of her last three tournaments.

The Japanese 24-year-old has not won a title since last year's Australian
Open and has been hampered this season with injury.

But Osaka is hoping to right the ship at the WTA event in Tokyo where she is
defending champion, albeit from three years ago as the tournament returns for
the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

She will face stiff competition from a field that includes US Open semi-
finalist Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of
Kazakhstan and Spain's world number four Paula Badosa.

"This year has been not the best year for me but I've learned a lot about
myself," Osaka said, adding that she was "happy to be healthy".

"Life is ups and downs, and this year was more down than up, but overall I'm
pretty happy with where I am now."

Osaka has been outside the top 10 all year and endured first-round defeats at
both the French and US Opens.

She withdrew from Wimbledon with an Achilles injury, after originally
considering skipping the tournament because ranking points would not be
awarded.

Osaka admitted that her fall from the sport's summit had been difficult to
handle.

"It was kind of hard at first, just because I feel like I should be somewhere
where I'm obviously currently not," she said.

"I think for me it's more about being at peace with myself. I know that I'm
here for a reason."

Osaka said she was looking forward to playing in front of Japanese fans again
after taking part in last year's Tokyo Olympics behind closed doors, but
would have to "trust in my forehand more" to rebuild her confidence after her
poor season.

She will begin her campaign against Australia's world number 55 Daria Saville
in the first round.

Osaka paid tribute to tennis legend Serena Williams, who retired after the US
Open, and said she had "gotten over trying to fill people's shoes".

"I don't think you can ever do that because everyone is unique, and we're all
forging our own paths and we're all on our own journeys," said Osaka.

"It's really incredible all the stuff she's done for this sport and beyond
that. Just watching her as a businesswoman is really cool."