Naomi Osaka, the former world number one, secured her first clay court victory in two years on Wednesday, signaling her determination to adapt to the slower surface while maintaining her powerful playing style that has earned her four Grand Slam titles.
Returning to action in January after a 15-month maternity break, Osaka has faced challenges on clay, a surface where she has historically struggled. Despite an opening-round loss to Martina Trevisan at Rouen last week, Osaka bounced back with a convincing 6-4 6-1 win over Greet Minnen at the Madrid Open.
Reflecting on her performance, Osaka expressed optimism about her ability to adapt to the clay surface, noting improvements in her movement and sliding to her forehand. While acknowledging the effectiveness of certain techniques such as drop shots, Osaka emphasized her commitment to her baseline power game.
“I want to adapt and I’m trying to, but there are things that work for me and have gotten me to where I am, so I don’t want to start slicing and dicing,” Osaka stated. Despite the challenges, she remains focused on maintaining the fundamental aspects of her game while respecting the nuances of clay court play.
As she continues her clay court journey, Osaka is investing in preparation, studying matches and refining her approach to the surface. Despite her current world ranking of 197th, Osaka remains determined to achieve success on clay, setting her sights on winning a tournament on the surface, including the upcoming French Open, where she aims to make a mark.
With the French Open set to commence on May 26, Osaka’s journey on clay represents a pivotal phase in her career as she seeks to add to her impressive Grand Slam tally while embracing the unique challenges posed by the surface.
