Naomi Osaka reveals ‘special feeling’ as she makes Billie Jean King Cup return
Naomi Osaka has revealed there was a “special feeling” as the Japanese star marked her return to Billie Jean King Cup action with victory.
Former world No 1 Osaka had only played once for Japan in the women’s team event since 2018, losing 6-3, 6-0 in a rubber against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Torno in 2021.
Returning to the competition for the first time since then – and for the first time since welcoming her first child – the four-time Slam winner looked in fine fettle as she helped put her nation in a commanding position against opponents Kazakhstan.
It was not set to be a straightforward contest on her return with Yulia Putintseva – a woman who has won three of their four past meetings – her opening opponent.
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But, after a dominant first set, Osaka held firm and took just an hour and 21 minutes to claim a 6-2, 7-6(5) victory on home soil in Tokyo.
And she admitted that huge crowd support helped her deal with being “super nervous” at times throughout her rubber.
“I am happy at the outcome of today’s match but I know the steps it took and it was really tough,” said Osaka, who is currently ranked 193rd in the WTA Rankings.
Osaka finishes the rally emphatically #BJKCup | @JTA_PR_Team | @naomiosaka pic.twitter.com/v2M28jkkaG
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) April 12, 2024
“I was actually super nervous going into the match and throughout the match because I hadn’t played in Japan and I really wanted to do well. I think the atmosphere and the routine helped me a lot.
“Ai [Sugiyama, Japan’s captain] was very calm at the bench and we were able to discuss a lot and I am pretty sure that my serve helped me out a lot.
“I would definitely say that it was a special feeling to come out and to see the Japanese flags everywhere and I did feel a lot of extra motivation.”
Victory for Osaka, a sixth out of her eight matches in the event, puts Japan in the driving seat to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville this November, leading 2-0 after Day 1.
Osaka’s triumph was preceded by a dominant victory for compatriot Nao Hibino, who stormed past Anna Danilina for the loss of just one game to put Japan 1-0 up.
With Kazakhstan weakened by the absence of world No 4 Elena Rybakina, Osaka will now be a heavy favourite to beat Danilina tomorrow, with that scheduled to be the second match tomorrow.
