Naomi Osaka says what she’s going to improve at the French Open next year after losing to Iga Swiatek

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Naomi Osaka commented on what she aims to keep improving after her agonising French Open exit.

The Japanese produced a sensational performance against Iga Swiatek but squandered match points before suffering a three-set defeat.

The 27-year-old was trying to equal her best ever result at the clay court Grand Slam but just came up short in one of the best matches of the year.

Though it is a surface she has struggled on throughout her career, Osaka was encouraged by her level of play that put her on the brink of ending Swiatek’s win streak at Roland Garros.

What does Naomi Osaka want to improve in her clay court game?

Osaka has worked very hard this year to improve her level of play on the slower and higher bouncing surface of clay.

The former World number one has said her aim is to peak for the North American hardcourt swing in August and September, but she is already showing signs of being at her very best.

Her performance against Swiatek is her best of the year so far and during the post match press conference Osaka commented on how she can continue to improve her clay court performances.

“As for my movement I definitely feel a lot better,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said. “It’s just fun to slide and I need to figure out that sometimes while I’m sliding I’m picking whether to slice or hit and I I don’t change my grip fast enough so next year I think that’ll be a big goal for me.”

Naomi Osaka loses a close battle with Iga Swiatek at the French Open

Swiatek was the favourite to claim her second victory over Osaka due to her dominance on clay and ominous form over the last month.

But Osaka produced the level of tennis that won her four majors as her consistency and power left the usually comfortable Swiatek scrambling to stay in rallies.

Though she lost a tight first set, Osaka stormed through the second, and forged ahead in the decisive frame.

She was up 3-0, then 5-2 and had match point when serving at 5-3, but some untimely unforced errors proved costly and Swiatek took full advantage to claim a 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 win.