Naomi Osaka was definitely disillusioned on Saturday after falling in straight units to Iga Swiatek within the Miami Open closing, however the four-time Grand Slam champion stated she could go away Florida with one thing extra worthwhile than the winner’s trophy.
Osaka solely dropped one set en path to the ultimate, the place her spectacular run got here to an abrupt finish as she fell 4-6, 0-6, however the 24-year-old Japanese participant stated she realized a worthwhile lesson whereas falling quick.
“I’ve realized that like, I do not know, I’m not as disillusioned as I usually can be, like I feel usually I’d be crying within the locker room or one thing, however now I’m type of like chill, stated Osaka.
“I feel like I know what I want to do better, and I just want to go back and start training again to like hopefully win a tournament next time.”
Those had been encouraging phrases to listen to from Osaka, who took a break from the game final yr to prioritize her psychological well being and arrived in Florida after an early exit at Indian Wells the place she was lowered to tears after being heckled throughout a match.
Osaka, whose final match win got here on the 2021 Australian Open, stated her new angle doesn’t imply she is just not hungry for extra titles and that she remains to be pushing herself to grow to be a greater participant.
“It’s all about protecting a sure perspective. Playing Iga at present, simply understanding the type of roll that she’s on, I suppose I’ve to consider it extra, like what particularly did I study at present,” stated Osaka.
“It’s type of cool to be blown away by an individual, like an opponent, however on the identical time, I really feel like I’m robust sufficient that that should not occur.
“So I’m a bit like irritated a little bit, but I feel like, you know, this is like the learning process, and something good will happen eventually if I keep sticking with what I’m doing.”
Osaka stated she goes to take the upcoming claycourt season “really seriously” and plans to observe video of 13-time French Open males’s champion Rafael Nadal to review his motion on the floor.
For the primary time in her profession, Osaka additionally plans to spend every week coaching in Europe to arrange for the Madrid Open, which final yr was received by Aryna Sabalenka because the Belarusian discovered a method to change her fortunes on clay.
“Like I’m clearly not a clay expert, but, you know, I feel like if I get my movement together, I should be pretty good,” stated Osaka.
“You know, Madrid, Sabalenka received that final yr, so I feel that there’s alternatives for me to do nicely, as nicely. I simply should get my mentality collectively to know that each match can be a battle.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
