Osaka Looking For ‘Scrappy Wins’ To ‘Build The Confidence’

Osaka Looking For ‘Scrappy Wins’ To ‘Build The Confidence’

After struggling with injuries and inconsistent form over the past two seasons, Naomi Osaka is focused on grinding out wins however she can early this year. The former world No. 1 hopes stringing together some scrappy victories will help rebuild her confidence heading into the biggest events.

“I just have to get more matches under my belt,” Osaka said at the recent Pan Pacific Open in Japan. “There’s moments in matches that I can turn it up, I just have to build the confidence to do it more.”

It’s been a precipitous fall down the rankings for the four-time Grand Slam champion since she last held the top spot in 2019. Nagging injuries and taking two mental health breaks saw Osaka dip as low as No. 77 in the world last September.

However, the 25-year-old started 2023 on a positive note by reaching the semifinals of a WTA event in Brisbane last week. Despite losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina, Osaka took pride in fighting from match point down in her opening match Down Under.

“Finding a way through those scrappy wins is what builds confidence,” she noted.

With the Australian Open on the horizon, Osaka knows she has the game to recapture her best form on the big stage. After all, she is a two-time champion at Melbourne. But for now, the Japanese superstar is focused on stacking up wins any way she can to set herself up for Grand Slam success once again.

“I just have to keep putting myself in a position to win,” Osaka said, “and the rest will follow.”

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