"I Don't Want to Be A Downer" – Naomi Osaka Keeping It Real at Indian Wells

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday March 6, 2024

Indian Wells, California – Naomi Osaka nonetheless has an extended option to go, however the former World No.1 is hoping that her comeback can choose up pace this week on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Osaka, off to a 3-4 begin in 2024 that featured a first-round loss to Caroline Garcia on the Australian Open, is simply eight months faraway from giving start to her child Skai.

The 26-year-old says it’s necessary to not be so laborious on herself on this her so-called second profession.

“Positively I’ve all the time advised those who I’m a perfectionist and I’ve had I suppose desires, whereas I used to be pregnant of what I need to obtain and clearly shedding within the first spherical of the Australian Open wasn’t in my desires, however I feel I’ve to be reasonable and sort to myself. I don’t need to be a downer an excessive amount of on this a part of my profession.

“Once I went to Doha and I bought to the quarters I used to be actually comfortable about that. I suppose I might have beloved to go additional, however I’m within the [Top 300] now, and I’m truly actually enthusiastic about that.”

.@naomiosaka throughout Sunday’s observe in Indian Wells pic.twitter.com/HQKg4e5x1X

— Jimmie48 Pictures (@JJlovesTennis) March 4, 2024

Unseeded and ranked 287 in the intervening time, Osaka expressed confidence when requested about her present standing. She could also be unseeded, however deep down she expects herself to be again on the prime of the game – it’s only a matter of time.

“I completely forgot what it’s wish to be a prime seed–I’m simply winging it,” she mentioned, including:

“Once I received it I wasn’t seeded, so I don’t actually have too many ties to having the additional day [before playing her first match]. “I really feel prefer it’s higher for me to play the seven matches in any case as a result of I need to know what it’s wish to doubtlessly win the fifth Grand Slam, so I really feel like that is actually good observe for me.”

She revealed that she was anxiously trying ahead to a showdown with World No.1 Iga Swiatek in Doha, which is one other indication of how keen she is to check herself in opposition to the world’s finest.

“I did really feel after I performed Pliskova in Doha I used to be sort of considering an excessive amount of into the longer term,” she mentioned. “I truthfully simply actually needed to play Iga so I used to be stressing myself out throughout that match, so I feel simply having much more matches below my belt will most likely calm me down much more.”

Osaka will face former Grand Slam finalist Sara Errani in first-round motion on Thursday at Indian Wells.