Osaka says she didn’t watch the Australian Open or the French Open in 2023 as it might have made her realise what she was lacking.
She confirmed her intention to return to the skilled recreation throughout September’s US Open and pledged to design a busier schedule than has been typical for her previously. When the actually exhausting work started the subsequent month, Fissette duly detected a big change in her.
“The final time I noticed her was round July 2022, after we stopped working collectively, and I truthfully actually did not know the place her profession was going to,” he mentioned.
“Once I spoke to her once more this yr in September, she already seemed like a brand new individual. And an individual with plenty of robust ambitions.
“I’ve by no means seen her this fashion earlier than the place she was so hungry to be taught. She was such a contented individual on the courtroom and the final weeks she has labored so exhausting and with a lot self-discipline.
“I’d say she was positively the best participant.”
Fissette says Osaka has at all times been good at scheduling, so a typical coaching day runs from 8am till 3pm, with the late afternoons reserved for time along with her daughter.
The acquainted sight of her slapping her left thigh earlier than a vital level was in proof as soon as once more as she beat Korpatsch in her first match again, however the long-term aim is to create a fair higher model of Osaka – a greater athlete and extra highly effective participant with better selection.
She has acknowledged her need to compete extra strongly on clay and grass, and better publicity to those surfaces can solely assist in that growth.
Osaka says profitable future Grand Slam titles and representing Japan within the Olympics could be great, however that it’s extra necessary to “cherish” each event she performs.
She needs to have the ability to journey the world along with her daughter and make her recognize there needs to be no limitations to her personal ambitions.
How shortly may success come for Osaka? She has travelled to Australia with out Shai, and she or he would absolutely not be right here if she didn’t consider she will be able to reduce it with the perfect gamers on the earth.
“That may be a disservice to myself and in addition the individuals who need to see me play,” was her reply.
“I can not actually say whether or not I will do wonderful or not, however I really feel fairly good with the place I am at proper now and I am fairly aggressive.”
Requested about Osaka’s possibilities on the Australian Open, Fissette mentioned: “I’ll at all times see her as a potential winner, however I’m additionally sensible.
“She is at all times a candidate. I can’t predict outcomes, however I’ll promise you that she shall be a greater tennis participant than she has ever been earlier than. For positive.”
Take heed to Naomi Osaka’s interview with BBC Sport, together with Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, on 5 Stay Tennis at 21:30 GMT on Tuesday.
In case you have been affected by any of the problems raised on this story you possibly can go to BBC Motion Line.
