Naomi Osaka Name Drops the Tennis Veteran Whose Fighting Spirit Inspired Her Comeback Victory in Doha

Naomi Osaka has inspired many in the world to pick up the racket. While she has inspired many young girls, she also finds inspiration in other players who are currently on tour. One player she has been inspired by is a Danish star. The four-time grand slam champion recently returned to the sport. After seeing some success after her return, Osaka talked about how she has inspired her to win.

Not only did the Belarusian player help her come back, but Osaka has also developed new strategies. With a new move on her side, she managed to win her first match against Caroline Garcia.

Naomi Osaka calls Victoria Azarenka a big source of inspiration

Osaka did not manage to amass good results after returning earlier this year. She lost early on in each tournament but gave a tough fight to each of her opponents. Now, in the Qatar Open, Osaka has a better grip on her game. She beat Caroline Garcia in straight sets, earning her revenge for her earlier loss. After the match, she talked about how she found inspiration in Azarenka to win this clash. 

“Honestly, Azarenka was playing before me, so I felt really inspired by her. I think I just kind of forgot how amazing of a champion she is, just because, like, when I look at her, and I remember, like, I don’t want to say kid, but I was kind of a kid watching her play Serena and stuff.“

“Just seeing her journey and seeing how she fights for every point, I thought, was really inspiring. It was really, I guess, good of me to watch that before I went and played. I feel like, for me, when I’m really dialled in, it’s like, one of my biggest or my strongest suits.”

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Osaka found inspiration in the Belarusian player to win her bout against the Spaniard. However, she did not only have the inspiration to win the match.

“kind of just jumping in with both feet” – Osaka reveals her new way of returning

In the same post-match presser, Osaka talked about her new method of returning. “Oh, yeah, no, I did change my return, I don’t want to say style. But I guess form. I don’t know how to describe it. Like, before, I was taking one step and then jumping in, but now I’m kind of just jumping in with both feet because apparently, Djokovic does that, so why not copy the best returner in the world?“

She is coming back to her winning ways, and the Japanese-American star is armed with new skills. It helped her amass a win against Garcia, and now she will face Petra Martić in the second round of the Qatar Open.

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