Naomi Osaka won the 2021 Australian Open by beating Jennifer Brady with the final score of 6-4 and 6-3. This is the twenty-first consecutive victory for the Japanese and her second victory in a row taking into account New York-Melbourne, already won between 2018 and 2019.
With this result, Osaka returns to world number 2 for the first time since September 2019, while Brady will be number 13. Osahka also becomes the third player to be consecrated after saving match points.
This is the seventh tournament he has won in his career of 10 finals played, without a doubt, incredible data on his effectiveness. At the press conference, the Japanese woman spoke on various topics. “My main goal is, strange as it may seem, to play long enough to face a girl who said that I was once her favorite player or something.
I entered this tournament focusing exclusively. I’ve learned that, both on and off the court, it’s okay to be unsure of yourself. As for me, I feel like I’ve always forced myself to be strong or something.
Naomi Osaka: It’s okay not to be sure of yourself
I think if you don’t feel good, it’s okay that you don’t feel good. But you have to look within yourself and try to understand why. That is what I did during the quarantine before the US Open last year and that is what I did here also when I was in quarantine.
For me now the goal is to get to five. If I had to win the fifth, maybe I would aim for seven or eight. I always try not to make the image too big. Of course it is an honor to have said that, but I do not want to burden myself with pressure and expectations.
I try to control what I can control, which is working hard and creating opportunities for myself. Four Grand Slams of four finals as before only achieved by Monica Seles and Roger Federer? I’d say I’m in good company!
I hope I can have a career even remotely comparable to theirs. Hopefully on clay because it is the one that comes first. I feel like I have yet to learn to feel comfortable on those surfaces.
This is fundamental for me because I did not play as a junior and, therefore, I grew up without playing on grass. I honestly think I could have more luck on clay because I haven’t played badly in the past. It’s something I have to get used to ”
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