“I’m going to watch a lot of tapes of Serena,” Naomi Osaka willing to build on her confidence on grass courts after an increase in confidence on clay

Naomi Osaka revealed some insights about her preparations for the next Grass season after a failed one this year. The Japanese returned this year after taking time off the tour. She had a baby and returned to try to get back on the top of the draw.

Osaka was always great on hard court and struggled to end up doing well just before the tour geared up for her least favorite court season: the clay courts. Luckily for her, for the first time in her career, Osaka had an improved clay court season.

She might not have lasted long at the French Open, but played one of her best games since her return against Iga Swiatek, coming as close as match point. She was unable to seal the win, but it was an improved season for her. However, there was another surface that needed improvement from her, which was the grass-court.

Surprisingly, she already has plans to improve. Osaka gave an interview with the Canadian Open Press where she revealed her plans to watch some of Serena Williams‘ footage to improve for the next year. She revealed that the match against Swiatek gave her confidence, but when asked about her grass court confidence, she revealed that she hoped to get it back next year.

You know, that Iga match did wonders for my confidence, I'm not going to lie. I'm optimistically looking forward to clay next year.Grass, I'm looking at it from a distance (laughing), but I'm willing to learn, I'm going to watch a lot of tapes of Serena. That's kind of a next-year thing.

Naomi Osaka said via Candian Open press

RELATED

Lindsay Davenport picks Coco Gauff to be the next American to win the next Grand Slam

Naomi Osaka bows out of the Canadian Open to Elise Mertens

Naomi Osaka had a disappointing Paris Olympics and was back on tour at the Canadian Open. However, the Japanese was handed a tougher draw than one would expect. She was up against Ons Jabeur in the first round and, surprisingly enough, beat the Tunisian in straight sets.

It was an easy victory for Osaka who went to the second round and played Elise Mertens in the next. Another tough opponent but his time, the Japanese was put to the test, and she failed to match her opponent, being beaten in straight sets.

I don't know, it's tough because playing against her, you don't necessarily hit winners right away. You have to open up the court, and I feel like I kind of got into the rhythm of potentially not hitting winners and, yeah, I maybe started playing her game a bit more, but not too mad at it, actually.

Naomi Osaka said via the Canadian press

She knew the mistakes she made that match. Osaka did not play the rallies long and did not have enough behind her winners, which was unlike that of Mertens. Nonetheless, it was a tough loss for the Japanese, who revealed that she will also play in the Cincinnati Open next. She has decided to focus on the remaining part of the season and will be a player to watch out for at the US Open.

In Case You Missed It:

• Erika Andreeva breaks down in tears after chair umpire wrongfully gives point to Marina Stakusic at Canadian Open; video goes viral
• Grigor Dimitrov & Co. bid farewell to the one-handed backhand in their own unique way as he remembers the ‘maestro’ Roger Federer; video goes viral

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW