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The four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka arrived in Miami with 21 consecutive victories (she gave two walkovers) and no pressure, never passing the third round at this event. Osaka will try to change that next week, eager to extend her streak and enjoy the event she used to visit when she was a kid.
"I always have fond memories whenever I came back to Florida and play this tournament. For me, playing in those public courts with my sister shaped me in the way that I was very tolerant just because we would play for hours on end.
I played on these courts right next to an airport; I guess I got used to loud noise, too, maybe. But, yeah, it was fun. I always have a lot of memories whenever I come back here. I changed my approach in just talking to my team more.
I would say the most significant stress is just me thinking about disappointing my team with my result. If I happen to lose, I wouldn't feel sad for myself but for the people who travel with me and go with me through everything.
Just reflecting on that, understanding that I'm not perfect, I'm not going to win every match, but it's my effort level that matters. Tennis-wise, that's what I learned. I've only played about four tournaments since everything started, two of them without fans at all, the other two in Australia where there were fans, but then there was a period that there wasn't fans.
Naomi Osaka will seek the first Miami Open title.
I feel right now I'm very adjustable. I'm just going to go with whatever, like wherever the wind takes me sort of deal. I'm not surprised by that many different champions this year.
For example, like Brady, I could see that she would do well, sort of start going deeper in the draws. Muguruza, like she's won two Majors. It's not very surprising at all. I feel like the level of women's tennis has risen. Everyone is powerful and has the capability of winning matches.
Yeah, it might not look like it from the outside; people might say it's random and whatever. But I think just everyone is so strong. I get homesick quite often; it makes me sad sometimes. I'd love to travel somewhere and be focused on that tournament.
For me, that is something that I've learned works for me. Hopefully, it will work for me this time in Europe because my results haven't been that great. Every year I'm on tour, I learn more about myself and what type of schedule I like to play.
I don't feel any pressure. It's not like I'm defending the title here, and I've never even made the second week. I feel more fun, like excitement. I want to see how well I can do. I have so many excellent memories here as a kid, not particularly this location. When I was a kid, I went to Key Biscayne," Naomi Osaka said.
