‘The biggest difference’… Naomi Osaka shares the big change she’s spotted in Aryna Sabalenka now

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Naomi Osaka has claimed that she’s now seen a huge change in the way Aryna Sabalenka conducts herself.

Osaka made her latest claims to The National News.

So, what has the Japanese player said about the Australian Open champion Sabalenka? Let’s take a closer look…

What Naomi Osaka said about Aryna Sabalenka

The Belarussian player won the Australian Open for the second successive year last month.

Sabalenka showcased scintillating form across the tournament and at 25-years-old, more titles look like a foregone conclusion.

Now, Osaka, who made her return to action in Melbourne has heaped praise on one of her rivals for silverware.

She told The National News: “I’ve always felt she was a player that people didn’t really want to play. And that’s something that’s very powerful.

“I’m really not surprised by any of this (defending the Australian Open title). I feel like there are players that people talk about and when you see them achieve their potential, it’s not surprising. It’s more of a time can only tell moment.

“The biggest difference that I’ve seen since coming back on tour, granted I have my headphones off now, it’s just she has a different energy around her. I see her smiling more, so that’s really nice and it’s really just cool to see.”

Osaka will hope to rival Sabalenka for honours in the future

The player who was ranked as the world number one in 2019 will hope to get back to her best at some point.

Right now, a first-round defeat to Caroline Garcia, which saw Osaka criticised by Martina Navratilova, has Osaka down at 757 in the rankings.

But, the Beverly Hills resident will fancy her chances of a return to full form and players like Sabalenka will now offer inspiration.

Osaka has won the Australian Open and the US Open during her career and 2024 will be a year where she tries to rediscover something like her best form.

With players such as Sabalenka now relentless out on the court, Osaka won’t find things easy going.

It’s great when a player has such a level of respect for a fellow professional, however, and in our view these comments are a touch of class from Osaka.