Naomi Osaka talks (lack of) clay-court title pressure

After a surprisingly one-sided 6-0, 6-4 loss to Maria Sakkari in the Miami Open quarterfinals, Naomi Osaka won't sulk for long. Her 2021 "Sunshine Single" campaign was only moderately successful compared to what she's accustomed to by this point, but at 23, time remains on her side.

"I'd love to win a tournament on clay," she said after taking the loss. "I think for me I'm going to learn a lot from Wim [Fissette, her coach since 2020]. He's very energetic and excited to move on to the new surfaces."

Now, about those surfaces, namely clay and grass: Osaka hasn't won a title on clay to date. As reminders, she didn't compete in the 2020 Roland Garros event, and four of her seven titles overall have been hard-court majors, at the Australian and US Opens. Osaka hasn't passed the third round at either Roland Garros or Wimbledon, and certainly aims to improve on that stat at both this season.

"I feel like no matter what, I'll have more freedom on the clay courts and the grass than on hard, because I feel like I'm still learning a lot on those surfaces," she said of her chances at the upcoming majors and their respective warmup events she opts in for.

Expect Osaka to be talked about less at both events, which may suit her focus and demeanor quite well. Hers has been quite the rise, winning one hard-court Grand Slam event every year since 2018 and, famously, her first four major finals overall (a mark shared solely with the likes of Roger Federer and Monica Seles).

On and off court, expect that—win or lose—Osaka's activism and finely tuned voice on social media will continue likewise to be forces to reckon with, in the best way. Her perspectives land about as well as her sharply struck winners.

The red-dirt season awaits, and one must expect it will find Osaka ready.