Naomi Osaka believes she must change her on-court mentality to return to her best level in 2025

Naomi Osaka says she will approach the matches in 2025 like a boxing match where she will show her willingness to win.

Naomi Osaka believes she must change her on-court mentality to return to her best level in 2025

Naomi Osaka (via X)

Naomi Osaka struggled in 2024 after returning from her one-year-long maternity leave. The Japanese star, who was a fierce competitor on the court before her pregnancy returned with less motivation to strive. In the 2025 season, she is hoping to rediscover her love for tennis and change her on-court mentality.

The 27-year-old had it tough last year as she failed to reach the semifinals of any tournament and suffered an early exit in all four Grand Slam events. Towards the end of last year, she parted ways with her long-term coach, Wim Fissette, and appointed Patrick Mouratoglou as her new coach. The partnership has brought a new spark to Osaka’s game, as she is yet to drop a set at the Auckland Open.

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The former World No.1 defeated Israel’s Lina Glushko in the first round before beating Julia Grabher 7-5, 6-3 in the round of 16 on Wednesday (January 1). Osaka shook off some early mistakes in the first set and got needed advice from Mouratoglou during the rain delay to win the match.

Following the significant victory, Osaka revealed during her press conference that she has to work on her on-court mentality compared to last year. She believes that she must learn to be aggressive even when losing in matches.

The issues I had last year were not related to my tennis level but to my mentality. I have long said and accepted that I am not the most talented tennis player in the world, but I have worked very hard my whole life, which has given me confidence in my abilities. I must learn to be more aggressive on the court, to approach each match like a boxing match where I have to show that I want to win more than my opponent.

Naomi Osaka said via Puntodebreak

The victory also gave Osaka her first quarter-finals spot in the past six months. The Japanese star will hope to reach her first final in almost two years at the Auckland Open in New Zealand.

Naomi Osaka says she has the willpower to get back to the top of the WTA rankings

Naomi Osaka is seeking to reach her first semifinals since her return to the tour after her maternity leave. The 27-year-old last quarterfinal match was in June during the grass-court season in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. There, she narrowly lost in three sets to Canada’s Bianca Andreescu.

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Image via Imago)

She will face either Hailey Baptiste or lucky loser Jodie Burrage in the quarter-finals of the Auckland Open. Ahead of the match, Osaka boasted during the aforementioned press conference that she now has the “necessary willpower” to return to the Top of the WTA rankings.

I’m ready for battle, I feel that now I have the necessary willpower to return to the top. Like I said you need to have the will to fight more than the other person and I feel like I finally found that again. So I’m just really grateful for that.

Naomi Osaka said

Osaka will hope to use the Auckland Open as a motivation ahead of the Australian Open which starts on January 12. The World No.57 failed to get beyond the second round of any of the Grand Slam events last year, which is something she’s looking forward to changing this year.