Copying Djokovic’s return pays off for Osaka

DOHA Naomi Osaka said she had taken a leaf out of Novak Djokovic’s tactical playbook and tweaked her return game at the Qatar Open after the former women’s world No.1 earned back-to-back wins for the first time in almost two years.

The 26-year-old from Japan struggled to find her rhythm after returning to the circuit in January, following a 15-month break from the tour during which she had her first child, Shai.

Osaka lost in the second round in Brisbane in her first tournament back before falling at the first hurdle at the Australian Open and in Abu Dhabi.

However, after beating 15th seed Caroline Garcia, who defeated her at Melbourne Park, in the Doha first round, she showed glimpses of her best form ina 6-3, 7-6 1-9) win over Petra Martic of Croatia on Feb 13 to reach the last 16. A technical tweak may have helped, she said.

“I did change my return I don’t want to say style’ but I guess form. I don’t know how to describe it,” the four-time Grand Slam champion told reporters.

“Like, before I was taking one step, one step, and then jumping in, but now I’m just jumping in with both feet because apparently Djokovic does that, so why not copy the best returner in the world?”