Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka admitted she is feeling more comfortable on-court after a 6-3 6-3 win over Maria Camila Osorio Serrano in Melbourne.
Osaka has now won 23 of her last 24 matches after defeating the Colombian in a testing straight sets victory over the Colombian.
Despite hitting 28 unforced errors, the world number 14 was the more aggressive player and broke on four occasions to reach the second round.
After the win Osaka reflected on her journey over the last year after taking a break from the sport to prioritise her mental health.
The Japanese star admits that she feels more comfortable on court and is having more fun as a result, “I would say I feel more comfortable in my skin, if that makes sense,” Osaka said in her post-match press conference.
“Like there’s always like the human nature to feel uneasy, to want to like please everyone and stuff like that. I feel like there was a time after French Open where I felt like everyone was judging me and I couldn’t go outside without thinking that everyone around me was — I don’t know.
“It feels a bit weird when you go into a stadium to play and you’re kind of concerned what everyone’s gaze means. I’m not sure if I explained that well. Basically right now I’m trying to learn how to be more selfish but in a positive way.”
On the point of having fun Osaka said the turning point was at the US Open last year when she learned to relax more, “I would say the turning point was after the US Open last year,” Osaka said.
“I was just sitting in my house wondering, like, what do I want to do in the future. I felt like there’s still so many things that I want to do in tennis. I haven’t played Wimbledon in, like, two to three years. I want to go back and experience that whole thing.
“It’s like a little bit of unfinished business, but also knowing that everything can’t be perfect all the time. I accept the fact that I’ll have dips, and I need to figure out a way to overcome it. I just want to have fun, first of all. I can’t expect myself to win every match, but I do expect myself to have fun and challenge myself.”
As we’ve learned in the past especially at the Australian Open, a relaxed and happy Naomi Osaka is a dangerous one for the rest of the field as she aims for her third title in Melbourne.
Osaka will look to continue her momentum on Wednesday when she will face American Madison Brengle.
Should Osaka get past Brengle then a tricky last 32 clash against Belinda Bencic could await.
