The 26-year-old Japanese player Naomi Osaka faced challenges regaining her rhythm on the court last month, returning after a 15-month break from the tour, during which she became a mother for the first time.
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Naomi Osaka said,
“She borrowed a strategy from Novak Djokovic‘s playbook and adjusted her return game at the Qatar Open. This change proved fruitful as the former women’s world number one secured consecutive wins for the first time in nearly two years.”
Osaka faced an early exit in her comeback tournament, losing in the second round in Brisbane. Her struggles continued as she fell at the first hurdle in both the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi.
Despite earlier setbacks, Osaka displayed a return to form by defeating 15th seed Caroline Garcia, who had previously defeated her at Melbourne Park. She showcased glimpses of her best performance in a 6-3, 7-6(9) victory over Petra Martic on Tuesday, securing her spot in the last 16.
The four-times Grand Slam champion Osaka said,
“A technical tweak may have helped. I did change my return and I don’t want to say ‘style’ but I guess form. I really don’t know how to describe it.”
“Before I was taking one step, one step and then jumping in, Now I am easily jumping in with both feet, because apparently Djokovic does that, so why i am not copy the best returner in the world?.”
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