Naomi Osaka is totally embracing her upcoming Wimbledon conflict in opposition to Aryna Sabalenka because the world No. 14 has a really optimistic perspective on the losses she has suffered in opposition to the top-ranked WTA participant.
Over the past 4 months, the Japanese tennis star has been stopped 3 times by the identical rival within the round-of-16 of main tournaments.
In early March, Osaka's Indian Wells run ended with a 2-6 4-6 loss to Sabalenka. At one other WTA 1000 event, the Japanese noticed her Madrid marketing campaign finish with a good 7-6 (1) 3-6 2-6 loss to the Belarusian. Then, on the French Open, the previous world No. 1 was crushed 5-7 3-6 by the reigning US Open champion.
Now, Osaka and Sabalenka are set to fulfill for the fourth time this yr on the large stage, and for the fourth time within the round-of-16.
Osaka: I've solely misplaced to Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in current months… I'll take that as a win for me
“Does it assist while you’ve performed any individual rather a lot lately or really would you slightly not have executed that if the outcomes haven’t gone your manner?” a reporter requested Osaka forward of her subsequent Wimbledon match.
“I believe from my finish I don’t thoughts taking part in somebody lately. Even when I have a look at my outcomes, I’ve solely misplaced to love her and Iga for just like the previous couple of months. So hey, a win is a win. I'll take that," the world No. 14 famous.
"Additionally she’s the No. 1 participant on this planet. If there’s somebody I needed to lose to, I’d choose that rating place. If something I’d say I realized from all these matches. Hopefully I can apply it if I do play her."
Naomi Osaka says she’s solely misplaced to Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek lately and that’s a win for her, ‘I’ll take that’
“Does it assist while you’ve performed any individual rather a lot lately or really would you slightly to not have executed that if the outcomes haven’t gone your manner?”… pic.twitter.com/vnhZen4Wvg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 3, 2026
Osaka enters the Sabalenka match in nice type
For Osaka, her fourth match in opposition to Sabalenka this yr comes on the good second.
Thus far this grass season, the 28-year-old Japanese has achieved two milestones – reaching her maiden grass-court remaining in Dangerous Homburg and progressing to the Wimbledon spherical of 16 for the primary time. General, she is 7-1 on grass.
Osaka shouldn't lack any confidence, and it stays to be seen if her type and momentum can carry her to a significant Wimbledon win over Sabalenka.
