This season, Naomi Osaka has finally returned to the tour after taking up parental duties for her daughter. Even though she had some lackluster campaigns after her comeback, the Japanese tennis player recently opened up about how she is still keen to find her optimum levels on the court. In doing so, Osaka might have also sent a warning to her potential Indian Wells Open opponent, Coco Gauff.

The BNP Paribas Open fixtures have been revealed, and the 4-time singles Grand Slam champion is in the same quarter of the draw as her American colleague. If both the WTA superstars manage to prevail in their initial round fixtures, the stage will set up for a high-profile clash between Osaka and Gauff.

In an interview with the Tennis Channel, the Japanese player was questioned about how she would characterize herself in terms of where she is right now, her dreams and reality, and where she wants to be. Naomi Osaka said, “That’s really tough because I have been fortunate enough to play really good players, and I think I played really good matches against them. So a part of me is really hard on myself for not winning those matches.”

Even though she is in good shape, the former world No. 1 player went on to say that she is still gearing up to be somewhere much ‘higher.’ Osaka said,  “But another part is telling myself to give, you know, some grace and know that it takes time and I can’t immediately beat the best players in the world right away. I have to learn, and I have to play a lot more matches. So I think right now, I’m in pretty good shape but where I want to be is much higher.”

It looks like the WTA player is leaving no stone unturned in her preparations to reach her best levels on the court. She has further displayed some great signs of a robust comeback, as witnessed by her recent performances on the tour.

Naomi Osaka’s on-court campaigns after her return to the court

After some lackluster campaigns at both the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi Open, the Japanese player marked a stellar run at the Qatar Open. Osaka brushed aside the likes of Caroline Garcia, Petra Martić, and Lesia Tsurenko to secure a quarterfinal finish at the outdoor hardcourt tournament.

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Now entering the Indian Wells Open as an unseeded player, Osaka recently breezed past her Italian opponent, Sara Errani, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. She will now lock horns with the fourteen-seeded Russian, Liudmila Samsonova, in a blockbuster round of 64 encounter.

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