Naomi Osaka looking forward to the new-found pressures of expectation

WTA Tour
Victory for Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka has dismissed any notion that the added pressure to perform will have a negative impact on her tennis in 2019.

The 21-year-old was a true breakout star last season, winning at Indian Wells before powering to the US Open title and number five in the world.

However, that was all achieved as an underdog, which is something she certainly won’t have in her favour in the future.

“I never feel pressure to perform,” Osaka told reporters. “I enjoy Grand Slams the most.

“I always feel there is a certain degree of pressure but it’s from myself.

“I definitely accomplished a lot of things that I wanted ever since I was growing up.

“Hopefully, I can do better this year. I will see how it goes.

“For me, I really love coming to Australia every time and I always seem to do well here so I would like to do well in the first tournament (in Brisbane).”

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