MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 23, 2024

Naomi Osaka

Press Conference

N. OSAKA/E. Svitolina

6-2, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Can you share your thoughts on the match, Naomi.

NAOMI OSAKA: I thought it was a very fun match. I don't know. When I was playing, I just thought she was an amazing player, so I'm really glad I was able to win in two.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It looked like one of your best matches of the year. How did it feel for you? Where would you rate this?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best match. But I also want myself to play better and better every match.

I don't know. I feel like for me going into the match, I knew that she's a great player, and I had no choice but to play really well if I wanted a chance to win. So yeah...

Q. What made tonight's match fun?

NAOMI OSAKA: I honestly think the court was really cool, just like having everyone surrounding and everyone was so loud and vocal. It just felt like Miami. It was really cool to play on that court.

I also feel like we both played really well. I hope she says the same thing. She was getting so many balls back, I truthfully was trying to hit those balls like they were winners. So credit to her for getting them back.

Q. You mentioned you felt like it was one of your best matches. How valuable were the break points in a close match?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, I feel like the break points were extremely valuable. I felt like for me, that's one of the key things I was trying to get better at I guess from the start of the year, from Australia. I'm trying to get better at returning. I feel like it did pay off at the important moments, so I'm happy about that.

I don't know, it was just nice that the crowd was enjoying it.

Q. Do you know who you play next?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yes (laughter). Wim told me and I thought he was joking, but he was not joking.

Q. What are your thoughts about facing Caroline Garcia for a third time in three months?

NAOMI OSAKA: Have you asked her?

Q. Not yet.

NAOMI OSAKA: Let me hear her thoughts first (laughter).

Man, we're friends at this point. We're just, you know, work buddies. We see each other all the time. It's funny. I just want to be seeded so I can just stop playing her, like...

I mean, my thoughts? She's an amazing player. I know this. Every match we play is really difficult. It's just going to be interesting playing on these courts because I really like these hard courts.

Q. You said in your last press conference that that was your best performance. Today you said it was the best. What has been important for you to make that progression match by match?

NAOMI OSAKA: Honestly, I feel like just not playing well in Indian Wells. I truthfully really hated my last performance there. I think I wasn't playing like myself and I wasn't dictating the point.

I feel like there are certain things that make a player a player. For me, it's dictating the points and, like, having a great serve. Those two things obviously weren't done well in that match.

I just want to have progression and I want to go out like myself, even if I win or lose.

Q. A little off topic. Did you see the Topspin 2025 roster? Your model was released. What did you think of yourself in the game?

NAOMI OSAKA: Honestly, I saw it and I thought it looked pretty accurate. I was kind of surprised. I feel like it looked pretty good.

Q. Are you going to play it when it comes out?

NAOMI OSAKA: I want to try, yeah. I hope my character is really good. I hope I don't have to try too hard.