"I'm going to play mixed doubles at Wimbledon" - Osaka after defeat in Madrid
WTA
Naomi Osaka says she's not concerned about the physical issue that hampered her at the 2022 Madrid Open, and she revealed something about her Wimbledon plans.
The Japanese player battled an Achilles injury in her match against Sara Sorribes Tormo at the WTA 1000 tournament in the Spanish capital, and it did not let her play the way she wanted.
She couldn't find the same level as in the first round when she outplayed qualifier Anastasia Potapova, and it became apparent that a physical issue was bothering as the match went on, as she eventually lost in two sets.
After her exit from the Madrid Open, the former world no. 1 detailed the issue, explaining that it troubled her already prior to the second-round match, as she wan't able to efficiently prepare.
"I felt something in my Achilles after my last match, and I wasn't really able to hit yesterday because I wanted it to go away. Honestly, I probably should have been a bit smarter about the whole way that I went through everything."
The four-time major winner tried to push back the painful effects of the injury by taking some painkillers, but it wasn't enough, especially because she chose this solution too late.
"I felt it again today and I tried to take ibuprofen [during the match] but I probably should have taken it way sooner than I did. But, yeah, I'm sure it will be fine."
Osaka was also asked about her sudden implementation of a net game during her stay in Madrid. She surprised by admitting that she was going to play the mixed doubles tournament at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, which was the reason for trying to play more volleys.
"So I have been really trying to focus on my net game because I'm going to play mixed doubles in Wimbledon. I know, shocking, right? I'm shocked too. I really don't want to disappoint the person I'm playing with, because whenever I play doubles I always say, 'Sorry.' I'm going to try not to be a liability."
The Japanese player was immediately pressed about who her partner will be at SW19. but she refused to disclose that.
"If this person sees it and they want to like respond, they can do that, but I don't know, isn't it more fun to kind of see it when it's around the time? I'm pretty sure if you wanted to guess you could guess who it is."
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