Naomi Osaka displayed signs of progress in her recovery from the abdominal injury that sidelined her from the Australian Open in January. However, sharpening her game and regaining match fitness will require more time.
Despite her efforts, Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, suffered a defeat to Camila Osorio of Colombia, the world No. 53, in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) in the first round of Indian Wells. Osaka later referred to the match as the “worst I’ve ever played” on social media.
During the match, Osaka struggled with errors, particularly while serving at 4-4, allowing Osorio to capitalize and secure the set. Osaka’s game was marked by a series of mistakes, including balls going long or wide by varying distances.
Under pressure, Osaka’s errors became more pronounced. Despite efforts to address this issue with her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, Osaka faltered in key moments during the match.
Following promising performances earlier in the year, including reaching the finals in Auckland and a strong showing at the Australian Open, Osaka was forced to retire from her matches due to the recurring abdominal injury.
After a period of rest and training, Osaka returned to competition in Indian Wells but struggled to find her form. In contrast, Osorio celebrated her victory as a breakthrough moment, marking the first time a Colombian woman defeated a former world No. 1.
Despite the setback, Osaka looks ahead to the Miami Open with a focus on regaining her rhythm and performance level. She acknowledged the challenges faced in her recovery process but remains optimistic for the future.
Reflecting on the loss and her journey back to the top, Osaka emphasized the need for patience and persistence. While acknowledging the difficulties, she remains determined to overcome obstacles and find her way back to peak performance.
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(Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)