An emotional Naomi Osaka said she was raised ‘not having fear’ after narrowly losing to world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open.
The four-time Grand Slam champion led the top seed 5-2 in the decider and then had a match point opportunity but ended up losing the marathon match 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5, in exactly three hours. Osaka illustrated glimpses of her best tennis in what was the clearest sign yet that she is nearing her way back to top form following the birth of her first child. There were plenty of positives for the former world No.1, who admitted she cried shortly after leaving the court.
“I cried when I got off the court but I’m good now,” Osaka told reporters. “I was watching Iga winning this tournament last year when I was pregnant and it was my dream just to play her.
“When I kind of think of it like that, I think I’m doing pretty well.
“I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.”
Playing under the roof on Philippe Chatrier, Osaka utilised her power to produce some heavy shots and at times flustered her opponent, who hasn’t lost a match at the tournament since 2021. It was a highly encouraging performance for a player who has struggled on the clay in recent years with her first-ever win over an active top 20 player on the surface not occuring until earlier this month at the Italian Open.
“I told people I was a little delusional when I was coming back (from maternity leave), but I think for me I kind of see my game as being good against anybody.” She said.
“I also was raised with not having any fear. I think going into a match fearing someone is kind of pointless. I don’tnecessarily think about damaging my opponent, but I’m more focused on what I think I can accomplish. I still feel like I can accomplish a lot.”
The person overseeing her resurgence on the Tour is coach Wim Fissette who has worked with a wide range of top players on the WTA Tour. Also in her team are fitness trainer Florian Zitzelsberger and his wife Simone Elliott, who has been brought in as a movement coach.
“I feel like very aware of my body in ways that I’ve never felt before,” she said of her work with Elliott.
“That’s also something that I’m fascinated to know what happens if I keep training this way. Hopefully, I’ll get better and better.”
Osaka will now be hoping to continue her surge in form on the grass with Wimbledon starting in just four weeks. So far this season, she has won 12 out of 22 matches with her best run being to the quarter-finals of the Doha Open in February.
“I feel like I’m playing better because there were specific things I worked on to get better. I also feel like it’s tough because obviously the results aren’t resulting right now,” she reflected.
“I’m growing every tournament. I’m just trying to apply myself.
“I also feel, the last time I played Iga, which was in Miami (2022), I got bageled in one set, so I do think that I’mhopefully playing better.”
Osaka has now played in 25 Grand Slam main draws. Her last win over a top 10 player was against Kiki Bertens at the 2020 Brisbane International.
