Naomi Osaka will potentially face Elena Rybakina if she can get past Danielle Collins in the second round of the
Abu Dhabi Open this week. But in her mind, she doesn't see herself as having to battle back to take on those top names.
Osaka spoke ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open and was quizzed about whether she sees herself as someone motivated to challenge Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and the aforementioned Rybakina. But while admitting that it is a bold claim, she doesn't see herself as a challenger and knows what she is capable of achieving during her comeback.
Whilst also knowing herself that she is far from being at that point yet but will be potentially in the future and is targeting the tail end of the year to do so. The mindset is certainly there for Osaka, but it is all about putting it into practice and she will aim to do that this week in Abu Dhabi.
“I’m at a weird point right now in this comeback. I, obviously, have so much respect for them and everything that they’ve done. But I don’t really see myself as a challenger, which is a weird thing," said Osaka as per The National.
"It’s really bold to say but I know what I’m capable of, and I know people are going to probably drag me for saying this, but I don’t think it’s a stretch for me to say that I see myself there. And I hope that I can get there this year, hopefully towards the tail-end of the year. But if not, I’m okay with being patient, I’ve always been a patient person, so I’ll get there eventually.
