'It's special' - Naomi Osaka delighted after landing Indian Wells wild card as she targets ratings climb
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Published 18/02/2022 at 13:00 GMT
Naomi Osaka says her wildcard return to Indian Wells for the upcoming WTA event will be "special" following her maiden tour win there in 2018. Currently ranked 82 in the world after a break from the game in 2021, the 24-year-old could jump back up the standings with a strong showing. Joining Osaka in the draw should be the likes of Ash Barty, Emma Raducanu and defending champion Paula Badosa.
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Naomi Osaka expects her upcoming appearance at Indian Wells to be "special".
The tournament announced that Osaka would be returning to the so-called 'Tennis Paradise' for the 2022 edition of the event, having granted the 24-year-old a wild card.
It will be Osaka's first competitive appearance since losing in the third round of the Australian Open to Amanda Anisimova on January 21.
Osaka won her maiden singles title at Indian Wells in 2018, part of a golden run that ended with her lifting a first Grand Slam title at the US Open later that year.
And her affinity with the Californian venue is clear.
Osaka said: "To return to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the place I won my first big event, it's special. It was special in 2018 and it will be special again this March."
The WTA 1000 event - which runs from March 7-20 - will once again have a strong field, with the likes of Australian Open champion Ash Barty, defending champion Paula Badosa and US Open champion Emma Raducanu all set to take part.
For Osaka - currently ranked 82 in the world - the tournament offers her a good chance to climb back up the standings after taking time out in 2021 following struggles with her mental health.
However, she seemed to have rediscovered her joy for the sport during her time in Melbourne.
"I fought for every point," Osaka said after her loss to Anisimova. "I can't be sad about that. You know, I'm not God, I can't win every match.
"So I just have to take that into account and know that it would be nice to win the tournament, but that's really special. I can't win the Grand Slam at the start of the year every time.
"For me, I feel like I grew a lot in this match. The last match that I played [at the US Open], I think I had a completely different attitude, so I'm really happy with -- you know, of course I lost, but I'm happy with how it went."
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