By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday March 6, 2024
Indian Wells, California – Naomi Osaka nonetheless has an extended option to go, however the former World No.1 is hoping that her comeback can choose up velocity this week on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Osaka, off to a 3-4 begin in 2024 that featured a first-round loss to Caroline Garcia on the Australian Open, is simply eight months faraway from giving start to her child Skai.
The 26-year-old says it’s essential to not be so onerous on herself on this her so-called second profession.
“Definitely I’ve always told people that I’m a perfectionist and I’ve had I guess dreams, while I was pregnant of what I want to achieve and obviously losing in the first round of the Australian Open wasn’t in my dreams, but I think I have to be realistic and kind to myself. I don’t want to be a downer too much in this part of my career.
“When I went to Doha and I got to the quarters I was really happy about that. I guess I would have loved to go further, but I’m in the [Top 300] now, and I’m actually really excited about that.”
.@naomiosaka throughout Sunday’s apply in Indian Wells pic.twitter.com/HQKg4e5x1X
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) March 4, 2024
Unseeded and ranked 287 in the meanwhile, Osaka expressed confidence when requested about her present standing. She could also be unseeded, however deep down she expects herself to be again on the prime of the game – it’s only a matter of time.
“I totally forgot what it’s like to be a top seed–I’m just winging it,” she stated, including:
“When I won it I wasn’t seeded, so I don’t really have too many ties to having the extra day [before playing her first match]. “I feel like it’s better for me to play the seven matches anyways because I want to know what it’s like to potentially win the fifth Grand Slam, so I feel like this is really good practice for me.”
She revealed that she was anxiously wanting ahead to a showdown with World No.1 Iga Swiatek in Doha, which is one other indication of how keen she is to check herself in opposition to the world’s finest.
“I did feel after I played Pliskova in Doha I was kind of thinking too much into the future,” she stated. “I honestly just really wanted to play Iga so I was stressing myself out during that match, so I think just having a lot more matches under my belt will probably calm me down a lot more.”
Osaka will face former Grand Slam finalist Sara Errani in first-round motion on Thursday at Indian Wells.
Source: www.tennisnow.com
