“My daughter will still love me” – Naomi Osaka hopeful of striking a balance both on and off the court

Naomi Osaka will now face Daria Kasatkina in the third round of the Rome Masters.

“My daughter will still love me” – Naomi Osaka hopeful of striking a balance both on and off the court

Naomi Osaka (Via Imago)

Coming back strongly from maternity leave hasn’t gone the way Naomi Osaka has planned. In her last two tournaments on clay, she crashed out in the first round. However, in Rome, with her daughter Shai by her side she’s beginning to gain confidence.

Osaka has always struggled to play her best in clay. The four-time Grand Slam champion earned all her major titles on hard courts. She began this season’s clay swing at the WTA 250 tournament in Rouen, France, losing her opening match to Martina Trevisan. Hoping to turn the tide around she won her first Madrid match.

YouTube video

However, she went on to lose to 15th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova, eventually crashing out of the tournament. Heading to Rome, she had one win in April. But that has changed at the Italian capital, where she has been in good form. She won her first match against World No.45 Clara Burel 7-6 (2), 6-1 making it her first Top 50 win on clay surface since beating Victoria Azarenka at the 2019 French Open.

FS Video

She continued her stride by beating No.20 Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2. She was on a 0-8 record against Top 20 but has finally broken the jinx. She also admitted that her daughter Shai is behind her well-earned run in Rome, as she hopes to strike a balance on and off the court.

I don’t know why, but today I woke up very peaceful. I just feel like no matter what happens on court, nothing will change for me off the court. My daughter will still love me and I have so many people around me. Maybe that showed today. I hope that mentality stays and continues. Nothing more, I'm just really excited to learn more about the clay court, and to Paris with Shai.
Naomi Osaka said via WTA

The Japanese will face No.11 Daria Kasatkina in the third round of the Rome Masters. Kasatkina won her second-round match against German Tatjana Maria 7-5, 6-1.

Naomi Osaka ‘extremely humble’ ahead of third round match against Daria Kasatkina

Naomi Osaka has labeled herself a ‘baby giraffe’ ahead of the Japanese’s third-round match against Daria Kasatkina in Rome. The former No.1 has only met Kasatkina once in the WTA circuit but has never played the 10th seed on clay.

Kasatkina is in better form as she has reached two finals this season. She also reached the round of 16 in the Madrid Open.

She has way more experience than me on clay. I feel like I’m still a baby giraffe, like I’m trying to learn my steps. I’m just extremely humble.
Naomi Osaka told the reporters
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Via Imago)

Osaka will play Kasatkina tomorrow. She will hope to earn her biggest victory on clay in recent times.

In case you missed it: