Naomi Osaka shares biggest change in her since Indian Wells 2018
Naomi Osaka feels a different player and person than 12 months ago. In March 2018, the Japanese won her maiden career-title in Indian Wells, then she conquered two Majors, 2018 US Open and this year's Australian Open. "I think for me one of the biggest things is I have more confidence in myself," said Osaka in Dubai. "I think last year, honestly all I wanted was just to get to the quarters of a slam. Now I've won two, and I know that I can do it. It's like a different mentality."
Osaka also spoke about how she is planning to handle pressure: "Just to have a positive mindset. I don't want someone that's in the box saying negative stuff. That would be the worst. Yeah, someone that's kind of direct, not afraid to say things to my face. I'd rather someone say it directly to me than go around my back. That's one of the biggest things."
Osaka finally spoke about how continuing to go far in events after getting all this success will be important for her: "Yeah, I mean, of course, this tournament, the next few tournaments are going to be very important to me. Indian Wells is coming up. I know that I have to defend that. But, of course, one of my biggest goals is just to have fun. I think I'm in a really good position right now. Last year I wasn't even in the top 50, and now I'm No. 1. One of the biggest things is to just have fun with everything you're doing, and I'm really happy to be here now."
Osaka, however, lost her first match as the world no. 1. On Tuesday, at the Dubai Open, Kristina Mladenovic upset Osaka 6-3, 6-3 in the latter's opening-round match (tournament's second round).
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2BNkwNX
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