Naomi Osaka is trying to fight her way back to her best form after taking a year away from the professional tour.
The Japanese player missed 2023 after welcoming a child into the world and now she’s trying to get back up to speed.
At the French Open, she came through a first-round match with Lucia Bronzetti before falling to eventual winner Iga Swiatek.
Osaka gave a good account of herself against the best female player in world tennis and was perhaps unfortunate to lose in three sets.
Now, Wimbledon is in the sights of the 26-year-old and she’s never been further than the third round at SW19.
Osaka – a three-time Grand Slam winner – has struggled for consistency since returning to the professional tour.
There is some time on her side and now American player Eugenie Bouchard has shared why she thinks Osaka has been struggling for a run of form.
What Eugenie Bouchard has noticed about Naomi Osaka
Bouchard hasn’t officially retired from tennis and plans to remain active on both the tennis professional tour and the pickleball tour too.
The 30-year-old failed to qualify for any of the Grand Slam events last year and hasn’t entered the Australian Open or French Open in 2024.
Bouchard reached the Wimbledon final in 2014 and has also reached the last four in Australia and France during her career.
Now, she’s shared what she’s noticed about Osaka as she looks to rediscover her best form on the tour.
Bouchard told the Tennis Channel: “I am sure Naomi would have wanted to do better so far in her comeback. I know she believes in herself and has a high expectation. But it’s tough.
“I do say she has done a couple of tight three-setters where she has been close to winning but doesn’t quite get there.
“I think a little bit of up and down with the focus and a couple of loose errors, which is normal when you haven’t been in that grind of playing matches, you are maybe not as sharp as you usually are – so it’s good to see her play a lot of matches to get that toughness back.”
Osaka must adapt form is temporary but class is permanent mindset
The talented Asian player hasn’t become a bad tennis player overnight it’s just that other players are sharper on the court.
Osaka can only get back to her best by playing more matches and honing her skills in match environments.
With Wimbledon around the corner, Osaka will be desperate to finally enjoy a strong run in the UK.
Her form at Wimbledon has been extremely disappointing and she will want to be ready for the tournament next month.
Osaka will know deep down that she can beat anyone on her day, especially given that she’s won three Grand Slam titles already.
As Bouchard mentions, gaining match sharpness is important and she will hope to get back to her very best in the near future.
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