"I see my game as being good against anybody" - Naomi Osaka on gaining power from 'I'm proud of you' message after French Open 2R loss to Iga Swiatek

Naomi Osaka revealed that following her loss to Iga Swiatek in the second round of the 2024 French Open, she found solace and "power" in writing positive affirmations like "I'm proud of you." She also stated that she has confidence in her game and believes it to be strong against any opponent.

After taking a break from the tennis circuit last year due to her pregnancy, Osaka made a return to the court this season. She used her protected ranking, to secure a spot in the main draw at Roland Garros. In her first match, she defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, before facing two-time defending champion, Swiatek in the second round.

Despite a valiant effort, Osaka fell 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 to the World No. 1. This marked Swiatek's 16th consecutive win at the French Open and her 14th straight victory this year.

During the post-match press conference, Naomi Osaka shared that writing positive affirmations in her notebook, such as "I'm proud of you," following a loss empowers her. She explained that these affirmations help her counter negative self-talk and help her maintain a positive mindset and energy.

"You know, I have my little book, right? So in it today I just wrote, 'I'm proud of you,' and I think for me, saying that to myself gives me a lot of power because normally, not normally, but sometimes I curse myself out in my head, and it's quite a negative feeling. I would just say I'm proud of the journey, and I'm hoping, hopefully it'll get more and more positive," Naomi Osaka said.

When asked if she was convinced that she would be able to defeat the best players in the world today, Naomi Osaka stated that she sees her game as being good against anybody and believes that she can defeat anybody.

"I told people I was a little delusional when I was coming back. But I think for me, I kind of see my game as being good against anybody. I also was raised with not having any fear. I think going into a match fearing someone is kind of pointless," she said.

The former World No.1 also revealed that she is more focused on what she can accomplish in the near future.

"So I don't necessarily think about damaging my opponent, but I'm more focused on what I think I can accomplish, and I still feel like I can accomplish a lot," Osaka added.

Naomi Osaka on her loss to Iga Swiatek at French Open 2R: "I played her on her better surface, I’m a hard-court kid"

Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka at French Open 2024

At the aforementioned press conference, Naomi Osaka revealed that she had cried following her loss to Iga Swiatek at the 2024 French Open. She then admitted that she found solace after realizing that competing against Swiatek had been a dream of hers while she was pregnant.

Osaka stated that she was satisfied with the fact that she was able to face the World No. 1 on the court, despite the outcome.

"I cried when I got off the court but then I kind of realized like I was watching Iga like win this tournament last year and I was pregnant and it was just my dream to like be able to play her. So when I think of it like that I think I'm doing pretty well," Naomi Osaka said.

Reflecting on her defeat, Osaka attributed her loss against Swiatek to herself being a "hard-court kid." She also stated that she wants to face the Pole at the US Open, a hard-court Grand Slam, scheduled in September 2024.

“I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens. I also said in Australia that I’m kind of setting myself up for September anyway,” she added.

Naomi Osaka has won the US Open twice, in 2018 and 2020, while Iga Swiatek has won the New York Slam once, in 2022.