Indian Wells: Naomi Osaka ‘grateful’ to be back after Liudmila Samsonova win - ‘I'm just enjoying my time a lot more’
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Published 10/03/2024 at 12:40 GMT
Naomi Osaka recorded her first top-20 win since returning to the tennis circuit after giving birth, as she continued her bid at Indian Wells in California with a second-round victory over the world No. 14 Liudmila Samsonova. Osaka said she was "grateful to be back" and is enjoying her time a lot more on and off the court. The Japan player said: "I just hope I can play a lot more matches."
'I'm just enjoying my time a lot more' - Osaka thrilled with win over Samsonova
Naomi Osaka said "I'm just enjoying my time a lot more” on the court and is “grateful to be back” as she continued her return to the circuit with victory at Indian Wells.
The Japan player followed up her dominant opening-round win over Sara Errani with a tight 7-5 6-3 victory over world No. 15 Liudmila Samsonova to move into the last 32 in California.
Speaking after the match, Osaka said she was hoping to “play a lot more matches” after taking a lengthy break to give birth to her daughter Shai.
“I'm just enjoying my time a lot more,” she said. “And, overall, just really grateful to be back and being healthy and playing well. So, I just hope I can play a lot more matches."
Osaka credited her coaching staff for playing a vital role in her return to top-level tennis.
“It helps me a lot, just because I had a few doubts that I kind of needed to hash out with them, but we were basically talking about, I guess, like, what I feel and what I think I should do," Osaka said. "And I'm really grateful that they trust me a lot.”
The former world No. 1 is currently ranked in 287th place after jumping from No. 747 following her run at the Qatar Open, where she reached the quarter-finals.
Her victory over Samsonova was her first top-20 win since returning to the circuit.
“I try not to focus too much on ranking,” she admitted. “I just try to go point by point. But, I can clearly see why she's ranked as high as she is.”
The 26-year-old will face another top-20 player in the next round of Indian Wells when she comes up against Belgium's Elise Mertens in the third round.
Following her victory against Samsonova, an emotional Osaka thanked fans for sticking by her and being patient in recent years.
“I know throughout my career I’ve done a couple of things, some of them I call growing pains, but thank you for supporting me over the years and letting me grow up on my own time,” she said in her on-court interview. “It’s really nice to be back.
“I’m just enjoying the moment. I appreciate, so much, just stepping on the court every time. I guess an athlete's lifespan isn’t that long and it took me to step away to realise that so I’m just thankful every time I can go on the court healthy.”
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