‘Champion for years to come’ Osaka out to conquer clay
Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts during the Australian Open semi-final match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova in Melbourne January 24, 2019. — Reuters pic
Having suffered early round defeats in Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami, Osaka is hoping to return to her best form in Stuttgart and chalk up a first major success on clay. At just 21, she is already one of the most recognisable names in the women’s game. Since signing a sponsorship deal with Nike earlier this month, her face has adorned an enormous billboard overlooking Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya crossing.
In Stuttgart, she is out to open a new frontier and overcome what she has admitted is a certain trepidation about clay court tennis.“I think mentally, I don’t like clay. I always tell myself I don’t like clay, so I never really embrace anything about it and that is something I have to change.”Since claiming the world number one spot in January, she has also had to adapt to the added pressure of being the woman to beat on the WTA circuit.
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