Naomi Osaka: I'm surrounded by people that genuinely care
Naomi Osaka became the new world no. 1 after winning the Australian Open and in Dubai she reflected on how it felt to achieve such a big thing. "Of course, I was really happy," said the 21-year-old. "But I feel like, I don't know... After the initial happiness, because it feels like a dream, and of course you're little, you want to be no. 1. That's one of the things that comes out of your mouth whenever someone asks what your dream is. I don't know, I have that moment of happiness, then I just wanted to practice more."
"For me, I don't want to say I don't care about being no. 1," continued Osaka. "Like winning tournaments is always the number one priority. I feel like if you can do that consistently, you're going to be No. 1 no matter what. Yeah, rankings isn't really my goal."
Osaka also clarified Masashi Yoshikawa's role, who is replacing Sascha Bajin at the moment. "He is not really my coach-coach. He's just been helping me since I was 16. He's one of the people that knows my game the most. He's always around at certain tournaments, he's always helping. I thought it would be a good idea for him to come here since I'm sort of stuck right now. This is the one tournament that I think I need someone around that's very helpful. I'm surrounded by people that genuinely care. They have such positive energy. I'm really grateful for everyone that's around me at this time."
Osaka lost in the opening round of the Dubai Open on Tuesday to Kristina Mladenovic.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2U1bkN1
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