“It’s going to take a lot of work” Lindsay Davenport evaluates Naomi Osaka’s chances in Indian Wells
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Lindsay Davenport and Naomi Osaka
Currently ranked 78th in the world, Naomi Osaka will return to action for the first time since her 3rd round exit at the 2022 Australian Open. Naomi will be seen in action at the 2022 Indian Wells Open where she is looking for her second title of the tournament having won her first in the 2018 Indian Wells which was also her first-ever WTA title ever.
After a turbulent season last year, Naomi started her season in Australia at the Tour event in Melbourne where she made her way to the semi-finals before giving a walkover as she felt her body was not ready. She next played at the Grand Slam in Melbourne Park where she was the defending champion but lost in 3-sets to Amanda Anisimova taking a massive hit on her rankings and going out of the Top-50.
As she returns to action after a small break of 1 month, not playing in any event during the month of February, decorated American Hall of Famer Lindsay Davenport spoke about Naomi’s chances at the Indian Wells and also her mental well being for which she took a break from tennis last year.
“I’ve heard she’s in a wonderful place, a much better space than she was last year, and that she’s excited to get back out and competing,” said Lindsay speaking with Reuters giving the fans good news about the well being of the 4-time Grand Slam champion who has become a global icon.
Sloane Stephens will be Naomi Osaka’s 1st round opponent
As Naomi comes looking for her first title of the season, she will start against former US Open champion Sloane Stephens who claimed the title in Guadalajara last month and is a tough player on the hardcourts having beaten the 24-year old Japanese player in both their meetings so far.
“That’s a really tough one to start off with, and Osaka is going to have to be ready to go. I think she was a little disappointed with how Australia went and that she’s pretty motivated, but it’s going to take a lot of work,” added Lindsay further.
Naomi needs a good run in Indian Wells in order to not only claim another piece of silverware but also rise in the rankings and be back inside the top-10, a place where she rightly belongs.
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Sarthak Shitole
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