Naomi Osaka confesses to copying Novak Djokovic on her return form, labels him the “best returner in the world”

Osaka motors through to the third round at the Qatar Open.

Naomi Osaka confesses to copying Novak Djokovic on her return form, labels him the “best returner in the world”

Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic (via Imago)

Novak Djokovic, one of the best returners of the game, has a very short hand movement to return even the best of the serves. Not every return is on point, but Djokovic has tried to keep many in, and sometimes it comes in handy in some crucial moments. 

Trying to replicate his method of returning are various players, including Naomi Osaka. The Japanese pro had praised Djokovic for his return style and admitted to copying the return form. She returned to tennis after a year, with a new form. Not many have realized, but Osaka confessed to having changed her return position. 

YouTube video
I did change my return -- I don't want to say ‘style,’ but I guess form. I don't know how to describe it. Like, before I was taking one step, one step, and then jumping in, but now I'm kind of just jumping in with both feet, because apparently Djokovic does that, so why not copy the best returner in the world (smiling)?
Osaka via Doha press

Even the best of the world had to copy Djokovic, who reduces his return movement based on the serve. To get to the ball quicker and use the pace to his advantage, the World No.1 jumps in with both feet and makes a good return. 

FS Video

This made Osaka the second WTA player to admit to following in Djokovic’s footsteps. Before this, the 2023 US Open winner, Coco Gauff had also confessed to learning from Djokovic and tried to copy his returning style to improve her game. Being the icon that he is, Djokovic has set an example to many and even stands as a role model for people to learn shots and techniques from. 

Naomi Osaka steamrolls through to the third round at the Qatar Open after a well-deserved victory

2-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka returned to tennis, to find herself short of form. Not able to get past the second round in three tournaments, she entered another one to break the slump. 

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Via Imago)

After a first-round defeat at the Australian Open, she carried the same form into the Abu Dhabi Open to lose again. Heading into the Qatar Open, with a few matches behind her, she got a sweet revenge to get things going. She beat Caroline Garcia in straight sets and followed that up with another straight-set victory against Petra Martic. 

With this win, Osaka has crossed the second round slump, to find herself in the top 16. She now faces Lesia Tsurenko, who is fresh off a victory against the very resilient Ons Jabeur. With the top player still in the mix, Osaka still has to play lights-out tennis to find herself with a trophy.

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