Naomi Osaka: ‘I finally found’ the ‘will to fight’ ahead of 2025 Australian Open amid strong run in Auckland

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Naomi Osaka continued her preparation for the 2025 Australian Open on Wednesday, beating Julia Grabher 7-5 6-3 at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The win came after the Japanese former world No. 1 overcame some early errors in her play, as well as an hour-long break for a rain delay. Speaking after her win, Osaka said she had "finally found" a competitive edge to her game.

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Former women’s world No. 1 Naomi Osaka says she has "finally found" the "will to fight" after reaching the quarter-finals of the ASB Classic with a win over Julia Grabher on Wednesday.

The Japanese player will be in the last eight of a WTA Tour competition for the first time in six months after a 7-5 6-3 victory.

Osaka has struggled to find her best form on a consistent basis since her return from time out, in part due to pregnancy, and she had to overcome some early errors - and the distraction of a break for rain - to win in Auckland.

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She will face the winner of Hailey Baptiste v Jodie Burrage on Friday, and a win would give her the first semi-final of her career since coming back from maternity leave in 2024.

Osaka sent down five aces and was strong on her second serve, defended both break points against her opponent, and lost only 13 points on her serve.

"I've never played her before, so just getting into the groove of things is really difficult," Osaka said after her win, "especially because she doesn't have a traditional game style."

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An hour-long pause for rain left the match poised at 5-5, and the player explained that after consulting with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, she was able to tweak her game.

"After the rain delay, I was able to focus on the things I wanted to focus on a lot more, and I think that showed in the second set," Osaka said.

"I got some great advice from a great coach over there. I just tried to focus on my bullet points and go out swinging if I had to go out. But fortunately, I'm here to play another round."

Osaka discussed her year back on the tour, and said her personality was not always suited to the direct confrontation that tennis presents, but that she had found her competitive spark again.

She said: "I was thinking about this last year, but I'm not a really confrontational person. But when you're on the court, it's like you're in a boxing match.

"You need to have the will to fight more than the other person and I feel like I finally found that again. So I'm just really grateful for that."

Osaka is in New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming Australian Open, which begins on January 12, shown live on Eurosport and discovery+.

She has twice triumphed at the Grand Slam, the first of any new season, with her 2019 win being followed by another victory in 2021.

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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