Naomi Osaka says she gains confidence in her game from the hard work she put into it after reaching the quarter-finals of the ASB Classic.
The former world No.1 was forced to dip deep throughout her rain-interrupted 7-5, 6-3, win over Austria’s Julia Grabher. Osaka didn’t drop serve throughout the 90-minute encounter and broke her rival twice, once in each set. It is the second time she has reached the last eight in Auckland after 2017, which was her only other appearance at the WTA 250 event.
Speaking to reporters after her latest win, the four-time Grand Slam champion revealed that she dealt with her frustration on the court by reflecting on her pregnancy. Osaka gave birth to a girl in July 2023 and was away from the Tour for more than a year.
“I think there are moments where it’s really difficult, where I do get down on myself,” said Osaka.
“But then I think today, I realised I was pregnant not so long ago, and I just really wanted the opportunity to play again and now I’m finally here, and I’m putting up really good fights, and I hope that I can just keep continuing this way.”
Osaka said she also received some useful tips from her coach Patrick Mouratoglou during the rain delay that aided her latest victory. She added the Frenchman to her team in September and describes their relationship as improving as they get to know each other.
Under this new collaboration, Osaka feels her mindset on the court is stronger than last season. During 2024, she reached the quarter-finals of two WTA events and reached the second round in three out of the four Grand Slam events. She hasn’t won a title since lifting the Australian Open trophy in January 2021.
“I’m not the most talented player, but I always felt like I work the hardest, and that gives me a lot of confidence,” she said.
“But then it’s trying to go into a fistfight with another person and in the end, it’s who wants it more.
“I think last year, it was really difficult for me to get that mindset, and you could see that in a lot of my matches.
“I think the tennis was there throughout the whole entire year, but it was more of a mindset thing. And I think now here, I think I’m ready for the battles.”
Osaka will next play either Hailey Baptiste or Jodie Burrage, who are both unseeded in the draw. Should she win that match, it will be the first time she has reached the last four of a WTA event since the 2022 Miami Open.
