I’m tired, Naomi Osaka sings to herself as she ‘tries to survive’ after exhausting workout session during pre-season training for 2025.
Naomi Osaka, one of the most talented and widely recognized tennis stars of her generation, is no stranger to the
rigors of elite athletic training. Yet, as she prepares for the 2025 season, it’s clear that even someone of her
caliber is not immune to the toll of grueling pre-season workouts. In a candid moment, the former World No. 1
was seen singing to herself, “I’m tired,” a reflection of the exhausting nature of her training regimen. But beyond
the words of this simple self-reflection, the scene offers a glimpse into Osaka’s resilience and determination as
she “tries to survive” through one of the toughest periods of the year for any professional athlete.
The Pre-Season Grind.
The pre-season in professional tennis is an important but often overlooked phase of an athlete’s career. It’s a time
for rebuilding strength, refining technique, and pushing the body to its limits to ensure peak performance when
the season starts. For Osaka, whose career has seen dramatic highs and a few lows in recent years, 2025
represents a fresh chapter. After a tumultuous period of mental health struggles and an injury-ridden 2023,
Osaka is now focused on coming back stronger. But this comeback doesn’t come easy.
The pre-season training camps for elite athletes are intense, incorporating everything from rigorous fitness
routines to on-court drills, designed to fine-tune every aspect of a player’s game. Osaka’s session likely consisted
of a combination of cardio conditioning, strength training, endurance work, and skill-specific tennis drills. All of
these elements are crucial for ensuring that Osaka is physically and mentally prepared for the challenges that the
WTA season will bring in 2025.
However, as anyone who has pushed their body to its limits in training knows, fatigue can quickly set in. It’s in
these moments of physical exhaustion that athletes often have to dig deep, mentally and emotionally, to keep
going. Naomi’s choice to sing “I’m tired” was a moment of vulnerability, acknowledging the strain on her body
while also finding a way to push through it. It’s a relatable sentiment for anyone who has ever felt the weight of
hard work beginning to take its toll.
A Glimpse into Naomi’s Mental Toughness.
While singing “I’m tired” might seem like a simple statement of fatigue, it actually offers a window into Osaka’s
mental toughness. Throughout her career, she has been lauded for her composure under pressure, whether at the
US Open or the Australian Open, where she claimed multiple Grand Slam titles. However, her story has also been
marked by her battles with mental health, particularly the pressure of constant public scrutiny and the
overwhelming expectations placed on her as one of tennis’ biggest stars.
By vocalizing her fatigue, Osaka is not just sharing a passing thought; she is demonstrating a form of self-
awareness and emotional regulation that many elite athletes rely on. Singing to herself in the midst of exhaustion
is a coping mechanism that helps her process the pain, turn it into something more manageable, and ultimately
keep moving forward. Rather than succumbing to the physical and mental strain of the moment, she channels it
into something that brings comfort and motivation.
In recent years, athletes in various sports have been more open about the mental health challenges they face, and
Osaka has been one of the most vocal advocates for prioritizing mental wellness in professional sports. By
acknowledging her fatigue, she is not only being honest with herself but also reinforcing the importance of self-
care and recognizing the limits of her body.
Surviving the Grind.
For Osaka, the pre-season is about more than just surviving—it’s about learning how to thrive despite the
challenges. As she works through the exhaustion and stress of these intense training sessions, she is also building
the mental fortitude needed to face the pressures of the upcoming season. The phrase “trying to survive” is not
just a literal statement, but a metaphor for her journey of overcoming obstacles and adapting to the ever-
changing demands of her career.
With her sights set on returning to the top of the game in 2025, Osaka knows that the physical strain she feels
now will pay off in the form of stronger, more resilient performances on the court. As the pre-season continues,
she will no doubt continue to sing, talk, and think her way through moments of fatigue, finding new ways to push
through each challenging workout and prepare herself mentally for what’s ahead.
Conclusion.
Naomi Osaka’s moment of vulnerability, expressed through her song of exhaustion, serves as a reminder that
behind every successful athlete is a person who faces challenges, setbacks, and moments of weakness. For Osaka,
this particular pre-season is about more than just physical recovery—it’s about rebuilding her mental resilience,
confronting her vulnerabilities head-on, and preparing for a new chapter in her career. As she continues her
journey, “I’m tired” will likely become a mantra not just of struggle but of survival and strength, a reflection of
the perseverance needed to conquer the challenges of a professional tennis season.
