Naomi Osaka details the key to her victory today against Sabalenka

Jose Morón | 5 Jul 2026 | 22.09

Naomi Osaka details the key to her victory today against Sabalenka. Photo: Getty

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When Naomi Osaka plays like this, few can stand up to her. We are talking about a player who has won four Grand Slams and has not forgotten how to play tennis. It is true that since becoming a mother, her level has dropped, but what she did today against Aryna Sabalenka at the Wimbledon Center Court is to believe in her again to be able to win every tournament she plays.

The Japanese player has raised her game and had been warning of what she was capable of, arriving on a hot streak to this tournament after several good performances. It is the first time in eight years that she has made the second week in two consecutive Slams, and the hunger she showed today against Aryna is that of her big nights.

In a press conference, Osaka revealed what was the key to her victory against Aryna and how she has been overcoming those moments of pressure when the results did not come, especially in these last two years where things have not gone as she would have liked.

The key to her victory against Sabalenka

From a tactical point of view, there's only so much you can do against her. I think, obviously, we're both players who hit the ball with a lot of power. For my part, I'm not going to start running all over the court trying to force an error from her. I can only focus on my strengths. I tried to serve really well because it's grass. I also tried to take the initiative in the rallies from the start. And I think that worked very well today.

What has changed for her to now feel so comfortable on grass

Without a doubt, I would say that my relationship with grass and with Wimbledon was not the best when I was younger. I'm not quite sure why I feel so comfortable on grass this year. I think I have done many exercises with Tomasz. Most of them weren't necessarily on grass. It was more about recognizing patterns and things like that, feeling comfortable with my own game. Honestly, I think throughout the year he has helped me feel more comfortable with my movement and with my game plans against opponents.

Mental shift to not get down when the results haven't been favorable

The people around me, even for years, tried to help me a lot in that aspect. I think it came after Rome. I lost to Iga very convincingly. I felt like I just shut myself off from everyone. I literally got on a plane and went back home. It wasn't the most professional thing to do. I didn't speak to my team. I felt very embarrassed about what I did. After that, I told myself, "Hey, I'm getting close to 30, I really have to enjoy the time I have." Also, obviously tennis is very, very important to me, but I have a life outside of that. I have to value tennis in the way I can, which is not giving it too much importance.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Naomi Osaka detalla la clave de su victoria hoy ante Sabalenka

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