Naomi Osaka sought advice from one of the best players of all time about playing on grass.
The four-time Grand Slam champion is back playing at Wimbledon for the first time since 2018 and she is keen to have a strong tournament.
To best prepare for the event she competed in the Libema Open and Bad Homburg Open before travelling to SW19.
As she makes strides to improve on grass, the 26-year-old spoke with one of greatest players to compete on the surface who has seven Wimbledon titles to his name.
What did Naomi Osaka ask Novak Djokovic about playing on grass?
Osaka has played just 37 matches on grass during her career, winning 21 of them. She has never been beyond the third round at the All-England Club and is keen to change that this year.
As she figures out how to maximise her game on the slick and low bouncing turf, the former World number one spoke with Novak Djokovic about one particular movement that she is nervous to perform.
“I tried to slide on the grass. I asked Novak how he did it. I have tried a few times but it has been scary. I think I may have to wait for the grass to get brown a little,” she said.
“But he told me no matter if he falls he keeps getting up and doing it. He said I have to overcome the fear of getting hurt.”
Naomi Osaka’s three set win sees her reach round two at Wimbledon
Osaka defeated Diane Parry 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 to claim her first win at Wimbledon since 2019.
Parry is known not only for being one of the very few players on the WTA Tour that possesses a one-handed backhand, but also an effective slice.
This shot became more impactful as the match went on and twice Osaka found herself down a break in the deciding set.
But she continued to battle and apply pressure on Parry, and the Frenchwoman ultimately crumbled as she served three double faults in the final game. Osaka will now play America’s Emma Navarro in round two.
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