Leaner, mature Osaka stays grounded in Melbourne

[January 12, 2019]  By Sudipto Ganguly

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Naomi Osaka is no longer a shy, introvert youngster and the newest Grand Slam winner in women's tennis says she owes her maturity to last year's U.S. Open triumph.

Last September the Florida-based Japanese player beat Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows, denying her childhood idol a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Known for her humility and introverted nature in the past, Osaka left the attending media in splits at her pre-Australian Open press conference on Saturday.

"I think it would be bad if I changed in, like, three months," the 21-year-old said, brimming with smile. "I don't really feel that much different.

"I think one of the biggest things is that I go into the main media room now, so that's changed. I feel like I'm more comfortable talking to people.

"I've sort of been put in the position that I have to. It's not something I can avoid any more."

Standing on the podium at the U.S. Open waiting to be handed her trophy and a winner's check after defeating Williams in an ill-tempered final, Osaka heard only boos from an angry and frustrated crowd.

That would have wilted most nerves of steel but it prompted Osaka to work more on the mental aspects of her game during the off-season.

"One of my biggest goals is to be more mature, like to mature as a person," she said. "And I feel like in a way I am, but in other parts I'm very, like, three-year-old mentality, you know?

"I feel like it's just leveling that out is one of my biggest goals I had during the off-season."

She has also lost weight during the off-season but strictly to help her improve her game.

"I want to be faster. It's not for looks or anything. I feel like it helps me play better. Like, I get to the ball faster, and I'm not as sore," she said.

Japan's Naomi Osaka trains. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Melbourne Park remains a special place for Osaka as the Australian Open was the first Grand Slam where she got into the main draw through the qualifiers in 2016.

Things have changed significantly since then but Osaka is not getting too much ahead of herself.

"I mean, I feel like, of course, I have to take it one step at a time. No one wants to lose in the first round of a slam, I think. That would be my immediate goal," she said.

"From there, I've been in the third round 100 million times already. That would be my next goal. Hopefully semis after that. Then I can think about, like, the finals and winning.

"There's so many good players in this draw, I know that everyone wants to win this tournament. My first, immediate thought isn't to win."

Osaka's compatriot and former U.S. Open finalist, Kei Nishikori, has had a good run in the leadup to the Australian Open and overcame Daniil Medvedev in the Brisbane International final on Sunday for his first ATP title in nearly three years.

Three times a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park, Nishikori missed last year's Australian Open with a wrist injury and hopes he can progress further this year.

"That's going to be my goal this year, to do better in the Grand Slams, all the Grand Slams," the 2014 U.S. Open finalist said. "This one, hope I can go farther than quarter-final."

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

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