Naomi Osaka ready to spread her grasscourt wings after being paralysed by fear
The Japanese star, who has won all four of her Grand Slam titles on the hardcourts of Melbourne Park and Flushing Meadows, has never found her comfort zone on the green, green grass of Wimbledon – making only four previous appearances during her 10-year professional career.
During those four visits to the All England Club, she won a total of just five matches, with third-round showings in 2017 and 2018 her standout performances.
It is hardly anything to shout about for a woman who has been ranked on top of the world.
But after matching her best-ever Wimbledon showing on July 2 with an impressive 6-3, 6-2 win over Czech Katerina Siniakova, who has won the Wimbledon women's doubles title three times, Osaka feels that she has finally overcome the fear factor on grass.
"When I was younger, I had no fear. I think when you are young, you fear nothing, and that's one of the really cool things about it," explained Osaka, now ranked 53rd as she continues to try to recapture her best form after taking a maternity break in 2023.
"But with age fear kind of crept along and, I guess, paralysed me in a way. Now I'm kind of just getting over that and trying to spread my wings on grass.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault
Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali
Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July
Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng
Singapore 17-year-old youth charged with trespassing on MRT tracks; to be remanded at IMH
Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year
Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities
World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress
"I think it is working, and I think I am moving pretty well. Yeah, I just hope that in years to come and hopefully this year I can do a lot better in this tournament."
The 27-year-old could not have picked a better year to enjoy a deep run at the tournament.
Following the carnage of seeds over the first three days, the highest seeds she could meet before a potential semi-final against either world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Australian Open champion Madison Keys are No. 13 Amanda Anisimova or No. 30 Linda Noskova -- neither of whom are known for their grass-court pedigree.
After two straight-set victories, she will certainly fancy her chances of defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on July 4 to reach the last 16 here for the first time, considering the Russian has not beaten her since 2017.
"Definitely this year I feel a lot more comfortable moving on grass," added Osaka after improving her Wimbledon win-loss record to 7-4 on the day her daughter Shai was celebrating her second birthday.
"I know the last couple of years I was really scared to move because when I was younger, I strained my knee or whatever. It took a couple of years to get over that but I definitely feel a lot more comfortable." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Gladbach midfielder Neuhaus suspended from first team for 'unacceptable' video
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus has been fined and banished from the first team after being filmed while appearing to mock the Bundesliga club's sporting director. In a video posted on social media, Neuhaus could be seen talking to several people wearing Gladbach kits about sporting director Roland Virkus. The 28-year-old appeared to call Virkus "the worst manager in the world" and referenced the sporting director's role in deciding his salary of four million euros ($4.71 million) per year. Gladbach said they had imposed a "heavy" fine on Neuhaus and suspended him from training with the first team for four weeks, with German daily Bild reporting the fine was worth around 100,000 euros. "The behaviour and statements of Florian Neuhaus are damaging to the club and unacceptable," Gladbach's CEO Stefan Stegemann said in a statement on Thursday. "He has damaged the club with his words and deeply disappointed the people involved, which is not compatible with the values of the club." Neuhaus joined Gladbach in 2017 and has made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the club, but mainly featured as a substitute last season and played just 17 times in the league as they finished 10th. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Manila's mayor returns to office to face mountains of rubbish Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Schmidt says injured Wallabies trio to be fit for Lions series
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MELBOURNE - Australia loose forward Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrumhalf Jake Gordon will miss Sunday's test against Fiji through injury but should be fit to face the British & Irish Lions, coach Joe Schmidt said. Valetini and Skelton have been nursing calf injuries, while Gordon is recovering from a hamstring strain, Australian media reported. Schmidt declined to confirm the nature of the injuries on Friday but said Valetini and Skelton had trained away from the main group in the lead-up to the Fiji test in Newcastle. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row. Valetini and Skelton's absence robs the Wallabies of experience and power against Mick Byrne-coached Fiji, who shocked them 22-15 at the World Cup in France and are their last warm-up before the first Lions test in Brisbane on July 19. "I'd be very confident all three of those guys will be ready to train at the start of the week for that first lead-in to the British and Irish Lions first test," Schmidt told a press conference in Newcastle. "But for this week, it was probably a week too soon." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks Gordon was Schmidt's preferred scrumhalf last season but Tate McDermott will wear the number nine jersey, with 35-year-old Nic White backing up from the bench. Noah Lolesio has been retained at flyhalf. "Jake trained with the side today, so he's very close to being able to (play)," said Schmidt. COHESION The Wallabies' season-opening test sees number eight Harry Wilson retained as captain but the appointment may not hold for the Lions series, Schmidt said. With hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa released from the squad, Dave Porecki starts in the number two jersey in his first test since the 2023 World Cup. He lines up next to veteran props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa. Rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau resume their midfield partnership, with Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter the starting wingers, and Tom Wright at fullback. Schmidt was cagey about whether his match-day squad was a preview of his preferred team for the Lions but suggested whoever he picked would face a huge challenge against Andy Farrell's men. The Lions opened their Australia tour by racking up more than 50 points in tour match victories over the Western Force and Queensland Reds. "They've been pretty impressive. I think two games in the first 20 minutes they haven't really started that well," said Schmidt. "But even saying that ... they've actually missed a few opportunities. "I think the more cohesion they develop, the more they'll be dangerous in finishing some of those opportunities. "I think (their players) are really competing for spots ... They've got incredible strength and depth." Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson (capt), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper. Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Nic White, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Filipo Daugunu REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Former New Zealand sevens speedster Rayasi to make Fiji debut v Australia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MELBOURNE - Former New Zealand rugby sevens player Salesi Rayasi will follow in his father's footsteps by representing Fiji at test level when he starts at fullback in Sunday's clash against Australia in Newcastle. France-based Rayasi is one of two uncapped players in Mick Byrne's match-day squad, with Fijian Drua scrumhalf Philip Baselala hoping to debut from the bench. Rayasi, who made 50 appearances for the Wellington Hurricanes in Super Rugby before moving to RC Vannes last year, was a member of New Zealand's sevens squads between 2018-20. He switched nationality to Fiji to honour his heritage, with his father Filipe Rayasi capped 13 times for the Pacific island nation, mostly at fullback. "He's pretty excited, obviously," Australian Byrne told reporters in Newcastle on Friday of Rayasi Jnr. "Very accomplished player, very skilful. I like the way he's been training. He works very hard off the field as well, understanding his role. "That's been very pleasing so I'm looking forward to him being able to go out there on Sunday and show everybody his worthiness of a white jersey." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks World Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending Bill wins congressional approval Fiji are looking for a first win in Australia in over 70 years, having stunned the Wallabies 22-15 at the 2023 World Cup in France. The Pacific islanders' lineup is much-changed from their last start in November when they were smashed 52-17 by Ireland in Dublin. Byrne has made eight changes to the starting 15 while retaining hooker Tevita Ikanivere as captain after he was co-skipper against the Irish. Simione Kuruvoli has replaced Frank Lomani in the number nine shirt while Bristol Bears loose forward Bill Mata starts at number eight, shifting Elia Canakaivata to the openside. Fijian Drua's Iosefo Masi and Racing 92 centre Josua Tuisova offer a powerful midfield foil to the Australian duo of Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau. Team: 15-Salesi Rayasi, 14-Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13-Iosefo Masi, 12-Josua Tuisova, 11-Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10-Caleb Muntz, 9-Simione Kuruvoli, 8-Bill Mata, 7-Elia Canakaivata, 6-Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5-Temo Mayanavanua, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 3-Peni Ravai, 2-Tevita Ikanivere (capt), 1-Eroni Mawi Replacements: 16-Sam Matavesi, 17-Haereiti Hetet, 18-Mesake Doge, 19-Mesake Vocevoce, 20-Albert Tuisue, 21-Philip Baselala, 22-Isaiah Ravula, 23-Sireli Maqala REUTERS
