Naomi Osaka: Beginner's Luck and the Victor's Test

"Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested." - Paulo Coelho

When I graduated college, I was one of those people who vowed never to read another book until I found The Alchemist, the story about how Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd boy embarks on a journey to the Egyptian pyramids to fulfill a recurring dream of finding treasure, where he learns to listen to his heart and discover the true meaning of life.

This quote reminds us that while our journey might start on the right foot with Beginner’s Luck, true success often requires overcoming The Victor’s Test: a significant challenge that demands resilience, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen obstacles.

The rise of Naomi Osaka in tennis perfectly illustrates Coelho's words. She burst onto the scene with an almost perfect blend of power and grace, seemingly effortlessly winning Grand Slam titles. This 'beginner's luck' quickly catapulted her to global stardom but also brought intense media attention and immense pressure, which led to struggles with anxiety and depression.

Osaka openly discussed her mental health challenges and withdrew from tournaments to prioritize her well-being. This period of self-reflection and recovery tested her resilience and determination.

Osaka eventually returned to the court with a renewed focus and a deeper understanding of herself both physically and mentally.

Beginner’s luck helps us get started on the right foot and builds confidence, but nothing great is accomplished without overcoming a great challenge. To do so, have grit, resilience, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen obstacles.

Reflection Questions: How do you leverage Beginner’s Luck, and how do you manage and overcome The Victor’s Test?