Fresh from a nail-biting three-hour showdown in the Miami marathon, tennis sensation Naomi Osaka is on cloud nine. After her grueling battle against Hailey Baptiste, which lasted a hair’s breadth short of three hours, Osaka confidently professed that her physical prowess has now surpassed her form during her last Grand Slam victory.
The 27-year-old Osaka displayed tenacity and resilience in the Miami third round. The Japanese tennis star fended off two set points in the initial set and clawed her way back from a 2-4 deficit in the third. The thrilling match was testament to her newfound fitness level, which she believes has been significantly boosted since her comeback last year, following her pregnancy hiatus.
Upon resuming her career, it was evident that Osaka had room to scale up her fitness. However, she now confidently asserts that her athletic conditioning has been restored and even improved. Reflecting on her journey, she states, “I feel like I’m better than 2021. COVID really set me back, I’m not going to lie. I was in the house doing nothing. But yeah, fitness-wise definitely the best I’ve been in a couple of years, for sure.” These are the words of a champion who has just clinched a victory in the 2021 Australian Open.
Looking ahead, Osaka is gearing up to face off against sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini in the Miami quarterfinals. Known for her robust court coverage and defense, Paolini is a formidable opponent. Yet, Osaka seems unfazed, even hinting at the possibility of another endurance test on the court.
The Japanese ace confidently affirms, “I feel fine right now. I’m not sure about tomorrow morning. But I also feel like I’ve built up a pretty good tolerance and fitness. I think while I was playing, I felt like I could play some more, so I feel like that’s a good sign.”
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has been transparent about her ambition to return to the pinnacle of Grand Slam glory. To realize this lofty goal, she recognizes the crucial need for peak fitness. After all, it’s the only way to navigate the grueling seven-match journey of a Grand Slam tournament. With her recent performance and renewed conviction, it seems the tennis star is well on her way to achieving her ambitious targets.
AloJapan.com