"I’d like to see her start winning": Martina Navratilova sees confidence as a must need for Naomi Osaka going into Doha

Sunday, 11 February 2024 at 18:12

Naomi Osaka getting wins and getting confidence back is the key to stop the rot in her return says Martina Navratilova. The four-time Grand Slam champion left tennis for 16 months and gave birth to daughter Shai and has since lost three straight matches since beating Tamara Korpatsch in Brisbane.

Albeit she has lost to Karolina Pliskova, a former World No.1 as well as a former WTA Finals champion in Caroline Garcia and former Australian Open finalist, Danielle Collins. So the draws haven't been kind and again Garcia rears her head at her next quest in the form of the Qatar Open in Doha.

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Despite that it has been a harsh reality as Osaka's next defeat could spell only the fifth time in her WTA career she has lost four straight matches. Those losses though don't mean too much to Navratilova who says that it is good that Osaka who in the past has not played a lot is getting out there and is getting matches in. But winning breeds confidence and in the case of the former World No.1, it is a tonic that is needed next.

“Well, I’m glad she’s playing so much. She’s putting herself out there, which is great, and maybe those losses don’t mean as much, especially as she continues to work her way back into playing shape. It’s easier to deal with in a way. But I’d like to see her start winning and get her confidence back," said Navratilova to the WTA.

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.@naomiosaka at the Doha Players Party

8:47 PM · Feb 10, 2024

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