It’s all about having fun for Naomi Osaka as she admits ‘if I play well, then I’ll be No 1’

Naomi Osaka opened her grass-court season with a hard-fought win over Maria Sakkari and admitted she has changed her mindset with regards to the world No 1 ranking saying “if I play well, then I’ll be No 1”.
The two-time Grand Slam winner has been top of the world rankings since she won the Australian Open, but she has been in poor form since winning in Melbourne.
Several players have had the chance to knock her off top spot since then, but have come up short.
The No 1 ranking is once again on the line at the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham and French Open champion Ashleigh Barty could take over top spot should things not go well for the Japanese player.
Osaka, who lost in the third round at Roland Garros, was tested by Sakkari in the opening round before grinding out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win in one hour and 59 minutes.
.@Naomi_Osaka_ escapes Sakkari in her #NatureValleyClassic opener!
She moves into the second round with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win 💪 pic.twitter.com/iCAUWqdhIg
— WTA (@WTA) June 18, 2019
“During my entire clay season, it kind of mattered,” the 21-year-old said. “And I think it showed because I was stressed out the entire time.
“So, for me, now, I’m just having fun. I’m enjoying it. And I know that if I play well, then I’ll be No 1. But you kind of have to deserve the spot that you’re in and if I lose in the first round, I don’t deserve to be No 1.”
She will take on Yulia Putintseva next after the Kazakh player beat British wildcard Hariet Dart 6-1, 6-4.
Former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko got a confidence-boosting win as she demolished Iga Swiatek 6-0, 6-2 while Petra Martic beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 7-5 win.
Sixth seed Julia Goerges also advanced with 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Dayana Yastremska.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
The Andy Murray odyssey and what it means for his chances of making Wimbledon
-
Juan Martin del Potro lifts lid on his injury hell and backs Andy Murray’s return
-
Wimbledon 2019: Rejuvenated Johanna Konta to lead the British charge in the women’s singles
-
Padel set to explode in the UK after endorsements from the likes of Jurgen Klopp and John Terry
-
FAMOUS FIVE: Tennis comebacks Andy Murray will be hoping to emulate
-
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Montreal Masters: How to watch Cameron Norrie in action
Cameron Norrie is the first of three Brits in action in the singles in Montreal today.
-
Tennis News
Mike Tyson marvels at transformative power of tennis
Mike Tyson’s daughter Milan is a budding tennis star.
-
WTA Tour
Coco Gauff moves on but Emma Raducanu suffers first-round exit in Toronto
The British number one was beaten 7-6 (0) 6-2 by Camila Giorgi but fellow teen sensation Coco Gauff moved on.
-
ATP Tour
Nick Kyrgios has mixed feelings ahead of Daniil Medvedev showdown
Nick Kyrgios faces a test of his rich vein of form.
-
News
Cameron Norrie carries British hopes in Montreal as Andy Murray falls
Norrie is chasing his third ATP Tour title of the year after going down in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev in the final in Los Cabos.
-
US Open
Serena Williams retirement: Greg Rusedski not discounting ‘box office’ Serena to retire on a high at US Open
Serena Williams to bow out on a high by winning the US Open?
-
News
Serena Williams retirement: Tennis might never see such a remarkable icon ever again
The remarkable career of Serena Williams is drawing to a close.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams’ greatest milestones as she prepares to bid farewell: Open Era Grand Slam record, prize money
Serena Williams has had quite a career.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams confirms she will retire after US Open, but doesn’t want ‘ceremonial, final on-court moment’
Time to shed a tear or two, the great Serena Wiliams is to retire after the US Open.