Naomi Osaka recently defeated Ukrainian tennis star, Elina Svitolina by 6-2,7-6(5) in the second round of the Miami Open. With this victory, she is now all set to take on the French Caroline Garcia for the third time this year. Three meetings in a matter of just 70 days! Although Osaka leads the H2H by a 2-1 margin, Garcia has given her a tough fight in the last two encounters. And, if the former world number 1 gets through this contest, she’ll face the current world number 3, Coco Gauff next. 

The Japanese tennis star had a challenging time on the tour since making a comeback this year, having given birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023. This was, in fact, her 6th tournament after the comeback. Her best results came in Qatar, where she reached the QF. In Doha, she defeated Garcia in her first-round match. What will happen this time around? Here’s what she had to say about this contest.

“She’s an amazing player” – Naomi Osaka heaps praise on Caroline Garcia

During the post-match interview, Naomi Osaka was asked if she knew who would she play in her next match. To this Osaka replied, “Yes (laughter). Wim told me and I thought he was joking, but he was not joking.” So, what are her thoughts on meeting Caroline Garcia for the third time in such a short span of time? Well, Naomi Osaka wanted to hear Garcia’s reaction first.

She added, “We’re just, you know, work buddies. We see each other all the time. It’s funny. I just want to be seeded so I can just stop playing her, like… I mean, my thoughts? She’s an amazing player. I know this. Every match we play is really difficult.” But there’s going to be only one winner from this match, who do you think will have the last laugh in this epic contest?

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Naomi Osaka is quite excited to get into this contest. She said, “It’s just going to be interesting playing on these courts because I really like these hard courts.” The Japanese tennis star has faced some challenging draws after her comeback to the Tour. Last month she reflected her thoughts on this as well.

“You have to dream big to achieve those dreams” – Osaka

Naomi Osaka wants to get back to the Top 10 again. But the journey won’t be that easy for the number 229. She’ll have to face some tough opponents on her way. A few weeks ago, Osaka revealed that she expects herself to emerge victorious even when facing the top seed at a tournament.

“I’m the type of person that, even if I play the No. 1 seed, I want myself to win and I kind of expect myself to win, which is the delusion part. But I try not to make too many excuses,” Naomi Osaka.

She now just wants to keep on believing in the process. Naomi Osaka further went on to add, “I feel like in some capacity, everyone who has achieved something crazy has been called crazy along the way. For me, also just being a more creative person, you have to see things differently and you have to dream big to achieve those dreams. I kind of like my delusions, they’re cool.” Do you think Osaka will yet again make a comeback to the Top 10 in the near future?

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