Flying into R2 🛫 No.16 seed @CaroGarcia gets the better of the returning Naomi Osaka 6-4, 7-6(2) in a high-quality encounter! #AusOpen
"Her level isn't too far away": Laura Robson impressed with Naomi Osaka's return despite Australian Open defeat
WTATuesday, 16 January 2024 at 04:30
Former Britain’s tennis star Laura Robson believes that the former world number one Naomi Osaka is not that ‘far away’ from reaching her best level.
The 26-year-old returned to the court after a break of more than one year. However, that return did not go as per plan as she lost in the opening round of the Australian Open 2024 to France’s Caroline Garcia in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6.
Robson, who is currently working with Eurosport, was recently quoted in a report where she stated that despite the result, it is clear that the four-time Grand Slam winner is not far away from reaching her best level.
“Give Naomi a couple of matches and she’ll find that intensity back and get used to the pace coming from the top players again,” she said. “I don’t feel like her level is very far away. I could hear her from courtside before almost every return, especially if there was a missed first serve, saying ‘Come on, come on, come on’ [to herself].
“She was trying to pump herself up; she was really active, bouncing around at the back of the court, lots of those little Naomi Osaka fist pumps that we are so used to seeing. I saw her go over to [coach] Wim Fissette which I don’t think you’ll have seen from her before. She was willing to take on whatever tactics he was willing to give.
“I think all of us were impressed with Naomi’s level, and that’s what’s so good about it; that just two matches in and she’s already hitting the ball like that.”
Former Britain’s number one also agreed with Robson and expressed optimism that Osaka will soon be competing for titles.
“I thought her level was excellent, and her body language and competitive spirit was right on point,” he said. “She was there, trying to pump herself up. She didn’t get frustrated even though she was behind.
“I’m very optimistic that if she keeps doing the work and the right things, she’s going to race back up the rankings and be a threat in Grand Slams in the future.”
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