MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Naomi Osaka not only wants to win Grand Slams and trophies but she also hopes to be a great example in the way she conducts herself in court, her coach Wim Fissette said Friday .
Osaka will meet American Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open final on Saturday, having been a closing model at Melbourne Park so far.
The 2019 champion has struggled to control her emotions at times in the past when they were plagued by her play but Fissette said she worked hard to avoid she lost control.
“She knows the experience of her past years … when her opinion is good, her mind is very clear about what she needs to do,” Fissette told reporters.
“And then she plays well … That doesn’t mean you can’t be negative at some point.
“But for immediate reinstatement, that is very important.
“It’s more from Naomi that she wants to be that person who always behaves well in court. That’s a role model too for younger players. ”
Osaka, who paid homage to Serena Williams in the semi-finals, said she had improved her mental strength with Fissette and her team after a disappointing start to the season under the influence of a pandemic. last year.
Her Australian Open title defense ended in the third round with Coco Gauff and shortly afterwards Osaka missed a shock to Sara Sorribes Tormo at the Billie Jean King Cup match in Spain.
Fissette said Osaka had opened up about her frustration in Australia after the loss in Spain and had been open about her feelings and nerves ever since.
“She understood that we were listening to her and understanding her, her feelings,” Fissette said.
“And if you express your feelings, obviously it also helps you to release tension, to release stress.”
The third Japanese seed has not lost a game since then in Spain and will claim a 21st straight win and a fourth Grand Slam title against Brady at Rod Laver Arena.
With two U.S. Open wins, Osaka has won her Grand Slam awards on hard courts but Fissette said the success of Wimbledon grass and French Open clay was only a matter of time.
“Maybe this year, but if it’s not this year, maybe next year,” he said.
“But she needs games and she needs confidence in those games and confidence in a specific game plan,” he said.
“So we have to use opportunities to play a lot of games … and then I’m sure it will succeed on every surface.
“But I don’t see any barrier to her playing well on those landlords.”
Edited by Peter Rutherford