At the Italian Open, Naomi Osaka secured her first-ever win against a top-20 player on clay, despite the match being interrupted by rain.
This victory, along with another win the day before, marks a positive step for Osaka, who is pleased with her mental state since returning to the tour after taking maternity leave.
She expressed feeling calm and confident, emphasizing the support she receives from her loved ones, especially her daughter.
Osaka has been open about her struggles with depression and anxiety in the past, leading to breaks from the game to prioritize her mental health.
With the French Open approaching, Osaka looks forward to further improving her clay-court skills and is excited about having her daughter with her in Paris. Despite her previous difficulties on clay, Osaka approached the match against Kostyuk with determination and executed her game plan effectively, resulting in a satisfying win.