Osaka in Tokyo

"Osaka in Tokyo"

If it did not have a picture, it could confuse people.

Welcome home Naomi!

Ganbatte!

An Olympic medal really doesn't mean much in the world of tennis, so I don't know why athletes would even compete in it.

On form, Naomi Osaka is a sure fire Gold Medal contender. No doubt.

In many ways could also provide a much needed PR win.

J people will get behind her.

oldman_13Today  01:03 pm JST

An Olympic medal really doesn't mean much in the world of tennis, so I don't know why athletes would even compete in it.

Steffi Graf, Boris Becker, Lindsay Davenport, Andre Agassi, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Those are just some of the gold medalists that seem to disagree.

Roger Federer even carried the flag for Switzerland into one of the opening ceremonies.

YEAH!

Whoopee! Osaka is in Tokyo!!

I see Osaka and Barty will not be staying in the Olympic Village.

Something seems off with her.

Caption:

Coach, gesturing with racket: “that reporter might ask you a mean question, so ignore him. That one behind him will ask whether you can eat natto”.

Those are just some of the gold medalists that seem to disagree.

Ask any tennis player whether they would like a Grand Slam (let's take for example the least-valued one, the Australian) or an Olympic title, I guarantee you they would all say a Grand Slam title. It's like asking a footballer whether he wants his team to win the Olympics or the World Cup.

Those top players you listed entered the Olympics as a bonus. They are top players because of the Slams they've won, not because of the Olympics. Osaka is here because Japan is chasing every single gold medal like there's no tomorrow (and I dare say they might pay her a big bonus).

Ganbatte!

You should speak in a language she understands.

Osaka is here because Japan is chasing every single gold medal like there's no tomorrow (and I dare say they might pay her a big bonus).

Wow! Pukey you sure have some top inside information.

Wow! Pukey you sure have some top inside information.

Yeah, it's called years of watching 'experts' on Japanese TV who tabulate all predicted medals in great detail, non-stop, including sports which most people don't care about. PS You might want to use the quote function that JT kindly provides.

As for the bonus, you think she's here to give press interviews?

I’ll play the devils advocate and say that she’ll bow out in the early stages…she won’t be able to handle the pressure of playing in Japan as she’s been suffering from mental issues recently. The one thing in her favor could be the lack of spectators though!

Then many Japanese people will say that she didn’t play with her heart and samurai spirit for Japan!

I’ll bet against, Joanne, and say she’ll easily get the gold medal on the silver tablet. Not because of extraordinarily playing tennis this time, but just to promote….well, you surely know what.

TokyoJoe:

"Ganbatte!"

You should speak in a language she understands.

She may not speak Japanese in public, she understands Japanese. She will respond to to you in English but you can talk to her in Japanese without any problem. That's exactly what happens when she and Japanese reporters exchange Q&A, even though she does speak in Japanese in private (to her mother and sister).

An Olympic medal really doesn't mean much in the world of tennis, so I don't know why athletes would even compete in it.

ditto for golf, football, rugby & other sports that have their own world competition.

Way too many unnecessary & unwanted sports in the Olympics these days.

TokyoJoeJuly 20  06:43 pm JST

Ganbatte!

You should speak in a language she understands.

OK, that was a good one!