Naomi Osaka hasn't had the type of year she had hoped for so far, but she's staying optimistic about future success that might be coming her way.
Earlier this year, Osaka made some surprising comments regarding her expectations in the season's first major. She had really optimistic ideas about her return and how it might go.
It didn't take long for Osaka to be humbled, as things didn't look as smooth on the court. She wasn't in good enough shape to really battle the best in the world, but she is slowly getting there with an occasional win or two.
Her coach, Wim Fissette, confirmed in a recent interview with the Tennis Sweet Spot that she expects to do even better in the coming weeks. According to Fissette, Osaka is still hoping for immediate success, which she admitted as well, but she is also trying to remain realistic about what is actually possible in the near future and what might happen in a couple of months.
"We just had our conversation already (after the loss against Samsonova in Madrid) and it’s always hard. I feel the disappointment, but I also know she’s quite rational as well, she understands. She’s hoping for success immediately but she’s also realistic that it can take longer."
Fissette is aware that his job as a coach is difficult, because sometimes, there are no correct words to say to an athlete, but at the same time, that's actually his job.
"As a coach, you always try to find the right words, and it’s probably the hardest part of my job also because seeing a player so disappointed after her loss there are no right words…"
"You just have to find how to start the conversation, that’s the key, and to move on as soon as possible. You hear stories about players not talking for two days but we don’t want that. We want to go and continue our process as soon as possible."
His protege will now get a chance to show her clay-court qualities at the 2024 Italian Open in Rome, where she will start against Clara Burel in the opening round of the WTA 1000 tournament.