Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, heads into this year’s claycourt season with all new momentum and confidence. She’s won a string of victories and now looks to graduate with a victory over the challenges of her past. As the French Open approaches, she is hell-bent on proving that record wrong, one where she’s never advanced beyond the third round. This month, Osaka will be a top seed in the tournament’s main draw, looking to bust through the same glass ceiling she’s shattered in the past.
The Japanese star just showed the world her jaw-dropping talent. She took her first claycourt title at any level at the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 tournament. Osaka just hit an amazing personal best. It guaranteed her first WTA title since becoming a mother in July 2023. She defeated Kaja Juvan in the decisive match at Saint-Malo – a convincing 6-1, 7-5 victory. This victory was crucial for her confidence as she approaches the French Open.
Inspired by Andre Agassi
Osaka’s decision to send a delegation to Saint-Malo was a brave one. Inspiration came from tennis legend Andre Agassi, who breathed new life into his career in the late 1990s by playing on the ATP Challenger Tour. In speaking on this inspiration, Osaka has said that experience is more important than ego when playing in big matches, which has characterized her recent performances.
“I wanted to rack up experience on clay. I didn’t really have too much of an ego playing that tournament,” – Naomi Osaka
This new mindset mirrors Agassi’s own story, in which he came to appreciate the importance of using failure as a catalyst for resilience and development. Osaka’s strategy would be along those lines, as she looks to improve her clay-court game.
A Series of Victories
One thing to look out for is Osaka’s current dazzling form, including an unprecedented run of seven consecutive victories on clay. Continuing on from her win in Saint-Malo, she extended her streak at the Italian Open. She cruised past Sara Errani in the opening round, beating her 6-2, 6-3. She looked sharp in a straight-sets victory over Paula Badosa in her opening Round Robin match. Badosa pulled out with injury, giving Osaka another opportunity to capitalize on her winning streak.
“I’m coming into it with a lot more wins. Obviously, I would say I’m a lot more comfortable on clay now… I feel like clay is very strength-reliant,” – Naomi Osaka
Her confidence and comfort level on the clay can be monumental. That’ll equip her to attack the very big challenges that are waiting for her down at Roland Garros.
Facing New Challenges
Though she’s made excellent strides, Osaka is still keenly conscious of the challenges that clay offers. In the past she hasn’t performed well on this surface, but her recent results indicate that she has made a change in her mindset. In anticipation of this switch, she’s worked hard to mold clay into the game she wants to play on it, prioritizing getting stronger and tougher, both mentally and physically.
Osaka has prepared herself both on and off the court. She just wants to play and enjoy the game, and not be hustling for awards.
“I’m okay playing on Court 16 if I have to anyways. The reason I came back wasn’t to play on centre courts all the time, it’s because I really enjoy the game,” – Naomi Osaka
Carrying this hopeful attitude and a string of early-round wins in her favor, Osaka is primed for a breakout performance at this year’s French Open. She’s in position to make a real difference!
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