By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday March 6, 2024
Indian Wells, California – Naomi Osaka nonetheless has a protracted strategy to go, however the former World No.1 is hoping that her comeback can decide up pace 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 necessary to not be so exhausting on herself on this her so-called second profession.
“Positively I’ve all the time advised people who I’m a perfectionist and I’ve had I assume desires, whereas I used to be pregnant of what I need to obtain and clearly dropping within the first spherical of the Australian Open wasn’t in my desires, however I feel I’ve to be lifelike and sort to myself. I don’t need to be a downer an excessive amount of on this a part of my profession.
“After I went to Doha and I bought to the quarters I used to be actually completely satisfied about that. I assume I might have liked to go additional, however I’m within the [Top 300] now, and I’m truly actually enthusiastic about that.”
.@naomiosaka throughout Sunday’s observe in Indian Wells pic.twitter.com/HQKg4e5x1X
— Jimmie48 Images (@JJlovesTennis) March 4, 2024
Unseeded and ranked 287 in the intervening time, 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 completely forgot what it’s prefer to be a prime seed–I’m simply winging it,” she stated, including:
“After I gained it I wasn’t seeded, so I don’t actually have too many ties to having the additional day [before playing her first match]. “I really feel prefer it’s higher for me to play the seven matches anyhow as a result of I need to know what it’s prefer to probably win the fifth Grand Slam, so I really feel like that is actually good observe 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 greatest.
“I did really feel after I performed Pliskova in Doha I used to be sort of considering an excessive amount of into the longer term,” she stated. “I actually simply actually wished to play Iga so I used to be stressing myself out throughout that match, so I feel simply having much more matches below my belt will in all probability calm me down much more.”
Osaka will face former Grand Slam finalist Sara Errani in first-round motion on Thursday at Indian Wells.
#Dont #Downer