Naomi Osaka takes inspiration from Andre Agassi as clay court season heats up
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said this year's clay court swing feels different as she enters it with momentum and confidence following a run of victories.
Last week, Osaka beat Slovenian Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in the final of the L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 tournament, to win her first clay court title at any level. It was also her first WTA crown since becoming a mother in July 2023.
"I wanted to rack up experience on clay," Osaka told reporters after defeating wild card Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open on Wednesday. "I didn't really have too much of an ego playing that tournament.
"I'm okay playing on Court 16 if I have to anyways. The reason I came back wasn't to play on center courts all the time, it's because I really enjoy the game."
Osaka said her decision to play in Saint-Malo was inspired by American great Andre Agassi, who rebuilt his career in the late 1990s by competing on the ATP Challenger Tour.
"I remember reading (Agassi's) book," she said. "There was a moment where ... he was saying he was flipping his own scoreboards. Someone came and yelled, 'Image is everything!' I would say that section of the book crossed my mind more."
The former world No. 1 has often struggled on clay, having never gone past the third round of the French Open, where she is set to play in the main draw this month.
"I'm coming into it with a lot more wins," she said. "Obviously, I would say I'm a lot more comfortable on clay now ... I feel like clay is very strength-reliant."
Osaka was set to face No. 9 seed Paula Badosa in the Italian Open on Thursday, but after the Spaniard withdrew due to injury, Osaka beat Swiss lucky loser Viktorija Golubic 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 for her seventh straight win on clay.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
WTA players undergoing fertility treatments to receive protected ranking
Female tennis players who take time off to freeze eggs or embryos will have their ranking protected, the WTA Tour announced on Wednesday. Players ranked from No. 1 to 750 in singles or doubles who spend at least 10 consecutive weeks out of competition for a "fertility protection procedure" are eligible. The ranking can be used to enter up to three tournaments, but the policy does not apply to the premier 1000 events. The special ranking will be based on the 12-week average of a player's WTA ranking from eight weeks prior to the start of their out-of-competition period. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, told the BBC the rule will reduce the pressure on players to return to the court too quickly. Stephens said she has twice previously used the offseason to freeze her eggs. The 32-year-old said in the WTA statement that she was "incredibly proud of our sport in recognizing the importance of fertility treatments for female athletes." "For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex," she said. "The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves." The WTA said in a statement that the "Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule" would enhance the existing package of benefits to help players combine family life with tennis. "We understand that professional athletes can face a dilemma between focusing on their career and starting a family, and we are committed to supporting WTA players as they navigate and balance the choices associated with career and family," WTA CEO Portia Archer said. In March, the WTA and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the introduction of a maternity fund program, giving players paid maternity leave for up to 12 months and access to grants for fertility treatments. The PIF is a global partner of the WTA Tour.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Japan Times
No rest, no gain: Novak Djokovic's go-to tools for a mind and body reset
Novak Djokovic clearly takes tennis very seriously. The results speak for themselves: 24 Grand Slam titles, 40 ATP Masters 1000 trophies, seven year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal. Especially now that he's in the twilight of his career, he also takes rest and recovery seriously. Over his two decades at the top of the sport, the 38-year-old Serb has filled his personal toolbox with practices that help him become the best version of himself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And now, Japan residents with deep pockets have a chance to replicate his wellness and longevity routines. Djokovic, currently the world's No. 5 ranked men's singles player, has expanded his focus on health by partnering with Aman Resorts to design wellness retreats at seven of its locations around the world, including Tokyo. In an email response to The Japan Times, Djokovic described what those checking into the Aman hotel, which occupies the 33rd to 38th floors of the 200 meter-high Otemachi Tower, can expect to get out of his detoxification programs, which guests can personalize according to their preferences. 'My hope is that guests to Aman Tokyo will leave feeling more connected — to themselves, to nature, and to their inner vitality,' he said. Rather than promising quick fixes, these three-day programs — priced at a steep ¥271,000 not including the room — reflect a more nuanced view of well-being, inspired by Djokovic's own holistic approach to performance and recovery. The programs incorporate Japanese wellness philosophies, including activities like monk-led meditation and chanting. A 150-minute spa treatment, juice cleanse and poolside sound bath are also on the menu. Djokovic claims these are his tried and tested methods of relaxation, and it's hard to argue with his success on the court. 'Japan holds a special place in my heart,' he says. 'I have deep respect for the Japanese culture, the discipline, and the attention to detail in every aspect of life. The harmony between tradition and modernity in Japan is inspiring. Playing in Japan, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, was a memorable moment for me, and I hope to play in Japan again soon.' Djokovic is renowned for his meticulous health regimen but has been the source of controversy in the past for rejecting mainstream medical advice, including the COVID-19 vaccine. That stance caused him to miss several high-profile tournaments during the pandemic, including the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2022. Djokovic starts his day with a glass of warm water and lemon, followed by two spoonfuls of Manuka honey. He drinks superfood smoothies and avoids coffee. He uses saunas and ice baths. He also prays, inhales essential oils, swims in the sea and even hugs trees. In 2025, it's more common to see athletes talking about the importance of mental recovery. Yoga and breathing exercises have become regular additions to training routines for both men and women in sport. But Djokovic discovered wellness long before it was trendy. Djokovic says his tried and tested methods of relaxation include poolside sound baths, which feature on the menu in Aman's new programs. | Aman Tokyo Djokovic left the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed after losing the bronze medal match in singles and pulling out of mixed doubles. But he captured his first Olympic gold in Paris last summer , becoming only the third man to complete a career Golden Slam — winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold in singles. For the seven-time Wimbledon champion, also a husband and father, wellness goes far beyond the physical realm. His book 'Serve To Win,' which came out in Japanese in 2015 and sold over 150,000 copies, is mostly about his gluten-free diet, but Djokovic makes it clear that food is only part of the health equation. 'It's a comprehensive daily routine that includes mental health, nutrition, and self-awareness. Staying competitive at the highest level for so long has required me to cultivate resilience, mindfulness, and balance,' he said. 'Off the court, I dedicate time to practices such as meditation, clean nutrition, and recovery routines that nourish both body and mind. This philosophy has supported my performance on the court and off the court in my personal and professional life.' The World Health Organization constitution states: 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.' Tatsuya Yamaguchi, a sports psychiatrist at Japan High Performance Sport Center and one of four mental health welfare officers who traveled to Paris as part of the Japan Olympic delegation , agrees that being healthy isn't just about looking after your body and staying free from illness. 'A holistic approach to health and wellness offers numerous benefits by addressing the whole person rather than just physical symptoms. When athletes get injured, they all feel and respond to pain differently because their emotions can affect how they experience pain. Providing relief from emotional pain can potentially reduce physical pain,' Yamaguchi said. Yamaguchi said the athlete handbook produced by his center defines 'intelligent' athletes as those that often excel in three areas: self regulation, adaptability and resilience. He explains that emotional intelligence skills are what sets top performers apart from the rest of the pack, and Djokovic's secret weapon is his brainpower. 'You could say Djokovic is practicing mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to enhance athletic performance. Studies indicate that it reduces activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN) and allows your mental engine to cool down. Mindfulness can help with anxiety and depression caused by an overactive DMN. It's a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.' Even a hyper-dedicated athlete like Djokovic knows you're not meant to work 24/7. And if you're not sleeping adequately, eating with intention and minimizing stress, peak athletic performance isn't possible — it isn't just about physical prowess, but deeply tied to overall health and well-being. 'Competing at the highest level for years has taught me that self-care isn't optional, it's foundational,' said Djokovic, who broke onto the scene in 2003 as a skinny teen from a war-torn country and is now considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time. 'The pressures of performance and the emotional toll of competition require athletes to be proactive about their well-being. From my personal experience, prioritizing mental clarity, physical restoration, and emotional balance allows us to not only perform better but to sustain our careers and personal fulfillment over time.'
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Japan Times
Imola axed from 2026 F1 calendar as Spain gets two races
Formula One will have two races in Spain next season with Madrid's new street circuit making its debut in September and Italy's Imola dropping off the 24-round calendar, F1 and the governing FIA announced on Tuesday. Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix will again be the season-opener on March 8 with China's Shanghai circuit hosting round 2 a week later, as the sport enters a new engine era with Cadillac also arriving as an 11th team. Japan will be round 3 as a standalone event on March 29. Monaco will be the first European round on June 7, swapping dates with Canada, whose race in Montreal moves to May 24 and follows Miami on May 3. Canada, which clashes with the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race this year, is now set to overlap instead with the Indianapolis 500. Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, which is entering the final year of its current contract and will no longer be designated the Spanish Grand Prix, is scheduled for June 14. Madrid's Madring, a part-street layout around the city's IFEMA exhibition center, will be the last race in Europe on September 13 and the weekend after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, due to drop off the calendar after 2026, will be held on August 23 as a sprint weekend. The season will end in Abu Dhabi on December 6, immediately after Qatar. "We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid," said Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali in a statement. Swiss-based Sauber will become the Audi works team in 2026 while Ford are partnering with Red Bull. Formula One will also have 100% sustainable fuel. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will again be held on successive weekends in April due to Ramadan taking place in February and March. The calendar has been organized to create more of a geographical flow, which Formula One said would deliver significant freight efficiencies and help the sport's sustainability push. There will be a total of six back-to-back race weekends, with two triple-headers of three in a row starting with Austin, Mexico and Brazil and ending with Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The FIA did not detail the sprint events, other than Zandvoort which has already been confirmed.
