Naomi Osaka is pleased with one thing she has managed to achieve this season despite not getting all the results she is looking for.
The 27-year-old returned to the tour at the start of 2024 following a 15-month hiatus during which she gave birth to her baby daughter Shai.
She has competed and fought hard but has yet to produce the form and consistency that took her to four Grand Slam titles and the World number one ranking.
But now back on the hard courts in North America, Osaka is ready to have a strong run in the buildup to the US Open.
What has impressed Naomi Osaka about her 2024 season?
Since returning to the WTA Tour in January, Naomi Osaka‘s best results were two quarter-final appearances at the Qatar and Libema Open.
The former World number one is still searching for her best form, but she has previously expressed her plans to peak in time for the North American summer hard court swing, which is ongoing.
Despite not producing many deep runs at tournaments in 2024 as yet, Osaka did mention something she has achieved and that bodes well with one of her most successful tournaments just weeks away.
“When I reflect back on this year of course I wish it was better but I have played really high quality matches and I was thinking I didn’t get injured so far this year,” Osaka told reporters ahead of playing at the Canadian Open.
“Oh my god, that’s such a bad thing to say ahead of the US Open! But typically when I was younger I got injured at least once during the year, so I feel like to come back and not get injured is something I can be very happy for.”
Who will Naomi Osaka play at the Canadian Open?
Being an unseeded player Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, could face a top player very early in tournaments.
That is exactly what will happen at the Canadian Open as she will take on Ons Jabeur in the opening round.
The pair have only played once before, and that meeting took place at the 2021 Australian Open which Osaka won for the loss of just five games.
Jabeur skipped the Olympics due to injury and suffered an early exit at Wimbledon during what has been a challenging campaign for the Tunisian.
But she is still a tricky customer for any opponent and Osaka will have to produce her best tennis to reach the next round.
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