‘Winning an Olympic gold has always been a dream of mine’, says Naomi Osaka

World No. 2 Naomi Osaka said she has “allowed herself to dream” of winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

It will be a home Olympics for the Japanese star – who is the defending US Open and Australian Open champion. “I have allowed myself to dream that dream of winning the gold medal.

But it won’t be easy,” Osaka told the ITF. “And I tend to put my goals realistically and also short-term, and it’s not even July yet! So, I’m going to chill.

“For me, it’s always been a dream of mine. As a kid you wake up and watch your favourite athletes play.

“My most outstanding Olympic memory is just watching (Usain) Bolt run. He’s my favourite athlete, me and my whole family – my dad loves his running, so we would just, like, watch him.

“When I think of the Olympics, what comes to mind is of course the Opening Ceremony, seeing all the people being so happy. I think what I’m most looking forward to being in Tokyo during the Olympics is the atmosphere.

“It’s definitely going to be one-of-a-kind, and it’s something that’s going to be etched into my memory for ever. I’m really looking forward to playing in the Olympics.