Naomi Osaka is back to winning ways after her early Indian Wells exit, having won her Miami Open first round match.
Osaka felt good physically at Indian Wells, but failed to overcome Camila Osorio in their first round meeting.
Former WTA number one Osaka said she played her worst ever match against Osorio, which she lost 6-4, 6-4.
That defeat came after the four-time Grand Slam champion retired hurt in her Australian Open third round match against Belinda Bencic.
But Osaka has now progressed at the Miami Open, coming from behind to beat Yuliia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Naomi Osaka proud of her movement in Miami Open first round win
She now takes on 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova in the second round, having been asked what she was most proud of in her opener in her winning press conference.
“I think the thing I’m most proud of is my movement,” she replied. “I think I was able to get a lot of balls back today.
“I don’t think I’ve in my head thought to rely on my wheels in a really long time. So I’m really glad I’ve gotten to this point in my fitness.
“It’s been quite a long journey post-pregnancy. I’m really happy about that. Working on I guess not being as nervous.
“I feel like some of my shots didn’t go the way I wanted them to because I was a little shaky, so hopefully with more matches under my belt that will go away.”
Naomi Osaka still thinks about 2024 French Open thriller versus Iga Swiatek
Osaka currently finds herself sitting 61st in the WTA Tour rankings, having been plagued by injuries in recent times.
The 27-year-old has also been absent in recent years due to mental health breaks and to give birth to her first child.
She has struggled to reach the heights previously reached since her return, having won four Grand Slam titles between 2018 and 2021.
But wisely she is taking things slowly right now, having also been asked if she thinks she is on the right track back to the top.
“You tell me,” the former world number one responded. “I don’t know. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I guess we’ll see.”
Osaka was also reminded of her 2024 French Open tie with Iga Swiatek, where she narrowly lost a three-set thriller against the top seed in Paris.
Asked if she thinks about that match or has watched it all again, Osaka replied: “It’s funny. I don’t really watch my matches because I get very cringey about myself.
“I don’t know. It’s the same for interviews. I don’t like the sound of my voice. Some people have sent me points, and I have watched those. I’m just glad or happy that people are still talking about it, which means it’s quite a memorable match.
“But, yeah, that match was really important to me because I don’t typically feel good about my game on clay, but I guess to do so well against her where she’s won, like, three or four French Opens, it was a really good confidence booster.
“I do think about that match sometimes when I’m having a hard day like today. Yeah, I hope I can have many more of those types of matches.”
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