WATCH: Naomi Osaka starts training on Green Clay court
Follow Us
Japanese World No.2 Naomi Osaka was shocked and bageled in the first set in the Quarter-Final by Greek Maria Sakkari 6-0,6-4. She was the favorite going into the tournament but her QF loss came as a huge surprise.
This year previously, the 23-year old won her fourth Grand Slam this year. She has won the US Open twice in 2018 and 2020, and also the Australian Open in 2019. Currently she is ranked no.2 in the world, and is targeting to reclaim her No. 1 spot.
Naomi is considered more of a fast court player and has always struggled to play on the slow Clay courts. She is yet to win a title on the surface and will want to win one this season.
Naomi practices ‘Sliding’ on Green Clay
Osaka is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow baseline ball-bashers Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, both of whom ultimately found success on Europe’s red clay. But ‘Sliding’ on Clay can give you a massive advantage and Naomi is also trying that. She is currently training on the Green Clay courts.
The game’s natural sliders—players such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer among the men and Kim Clijsters and Francesca Schiavone for the women—make it seem as no ball can be hit out of their reach on a clay court.
But over recent years in the women’s game, hitting hard from the baseline is the way to go and Naomi knows that well. She will be back on court and kickstart her Clay season at Madrid.
Also read: ‘Monte Carlo loss is the past,’ Rafael Nadal sets his sight on winning the Barcelona Open
Stay Updated!
Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)