Struggling Osaka aiming to break slump as Pan Pacific Open returns

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

"Life has 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 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".