Naomi Osaka has been chatting about Andy Murray, ahead of her return to Indian Wells this week.
Playing later today, the former world number one will have grand ambitions of finally putting together her steadily improving form, culminating in a deep run in the California desert.
However, before chatting about any tennis, she took time to praise Murray for his conduct off the court, revealing the measure of the man everyone seems to love.
What Naomi Osaka said about Andy Murray
Speaking to the official BNP Paribas Open account, the 26-year-old, who took a break from her tennis career in order to give birth just last year, was effusive in her praise for Murray.
Having gone through some incredibly tough times, and bravely exhibited them to spread awareness for her struggles, she revealed how the Scotsman has been there to help her along the way.
Osaka noted: ‘He’s always been super friendly to me coming up on tour. Whenever we’d bump into each other he’d say hi because obviously I’m too shy to say hi. Just I feel like he’s in a way always checking on me, like especially when all the hard stuff happens.’
This marks just another glowing testimony for the legendary tennis star, who continues to prove how he is not just a great player, but also a great human too.
His first-round win over David Goffin has gone a long way towards reinforcing the former notion, of late.
Naomi Osaka has a great chance for a deep Indian Wells run
Well, it’s fair to say that Osaka has been blessed with her portion of the Indian Wells draw.
Facing Italy’s Sara Errani in the first round, should she breeze past the world number 99 as expected, she is set to face Liudmila Samsunova.
Whilst the former will be no slouch, given she once occupied a top-five spot in the WTA rankings, at 36 years old she is far from her peak and ready to enjoy a deep run in the competition.
The Russian, however, will pose a far trickier test, but given she has endured a disappointing 2024 in which she has struggled to make her mark in any tournament, again the Japanese player should be confident.
Based purely on the seeding, Elise Mertens would be next up, before her first real test emerges in the Round of 16: Coco Gauff.
To have the opportunity to reach the fourth round before facing a top-ten player is a huge opportunity to go deep at Indian Wells and recapture the ranking points she is owed.
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