“I have to look at it in a bigger picture” – Osaka trying to keep focus off the results

Osaka is playing in the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time since 2020 and for the first time playing in front of her home fans since late 2022

Naomi Osaka in Tokyo 2024 Image Credit: Aflo / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

April 11, 2024

It’s been a mixed start for Naomi Osaka in her comeback from maternity break to the tour this year. The four-time Grand Slam winner has won seven of 13 matches so far but has also had some impressive wins over players such as Caroline Garcia and Karolina Pliskova.

The former world No 1 is trying to keep her focus on the bigger picture as a slew of major events – the French Open, Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open – take place over the next five months.

“It’s really tough to look at it results-wise,” Osaka said in Tokyo where she representing Japan in the Billie Jean King Cup this week. “But I have to look at it in a bigger picture and try to expand on my game and expand on the knowledge that I’m constantly learning as a player.”

Osaka is playing under captain Ai Sugiyama, whom she described as ‘very kind and genuine’. This is her first appearance in the competition since 2020 and her first time playing in front of her home fans since late 2022.

“She’s just always felt very kind and genuine and I always really wanted to try, just to be better in team atmospheres as well,” said Osaka. “When I was younger, I tried a lot to hit a lot of crazy shots — now I’m a little bit more strategic. I hope that it’s fun for everyone (the fans in Japan) to watch, but I’m not going to do anything crazy.”

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