Naomi Osaka, the former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion, has revealed that she is taking inspiration from Novak Djokovic to revamp her return game. The Japanese star, who returned to professional tennis last month after a 15-month maternity break, secured back-to-back victories at the Qatar Open for the first time since March 2022. After struggling to find her rhythm in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Abu Dhabi, Osaka finally showed glimpses of her best form in Doha, beating 15th seed Caroline Garcia and then world No. 55 Petra Martic to reach the last 16.

The key to her turnaround, she explained, was a subtle but significant change to her return position and footwork. In a press conference following her second-round win over Martic, Osaka 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. 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?"

The adjustment appears to have been orchestrated by her coach Wim Fissette, with whom Osaka reunited at the start of 2024. Fissette, who previously coached the Japanese star during her second Grand Slam title win at the 2020 US Open, has been instrumental in refining her groundstrokes. Osaka admitted that the conversation about the return started during the off-season and intensified after her early exit at the Australian Open.

Osaka's breakthrough on return comes after a challenging period that saw her drop out of the top 800 in the WTA rankings. Prior to her maternity break, she had not won a match since the Miami Open in March 2022, where she reached the quarter-finals. Her return to competition in January 2024 was marked by a second-round loss in Brisbane, a first-round defeat at the Australian Open to Caroline Garcia, and a first-round loss in Abu Dhabi. The back-to-back wins in Doha, therefore, represent a significant milestone.

Why Copying Djokovic Makes Sense

Novak Djokovic is widely considered the greatest returner in tennis history. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has an unprecedented ability to neutralize powerful serves and turn defense into offense. His return position is often deeper than most, and he uses a dynamic split step to time his movement. In contrast, Osaka had previously used a more traditional return posture, often taking two small steps before launching into the shot. By adopting Djokovic's method of jumping in with both feet, she aims to improve her reaction time and consistency.

Statistics underline Djokovic's dominance on return. In 2023, he won 35% of return games and had the highest percentage of break points saved on the ATP Tour. His return rating, a composite of points won on return and break point conversion, consistently ranks among the top three. For Osaka, whose game has always been built around a massive serve and powerful groundstrokes, improving the return could unlock her full potential as an all-court player.

Osaka's Career at a Crossroads

Naomi Osaka burst onto the scene in 2018 when she defeated Serena Williams in the controversial US Open final. She followed that with consecutive Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021, and a second US Open crown in 2020. Known for her mental toughness and explosive tennis, she became the first Asian player to hold the world No. 1 ranking. However, her career has also been marked by struggles with mental health, which led to her withdrawing from the French Open in 2021 and taking several breaks from the tour.

The birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 gave Osaka a new perspective on life and tennis. She has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with a professional career, and her return to competition has been closely watched. The adjustment to the return style is part of a larger effort to rebuild her game from the ground up. "It was frustrating knowing that my serve is one of the best serves, dare I say, in the world," she said. "But I just really wanted to work on the things I know should be a lot better and the return was one of them."

Her serve has indeed been a weapon throughout her career. Osaka leads the WTA in career ace percentage and has one of the fastest first serves on tour. However, her return numbers have always lagged behind those of the top players, particularly on second-serve returns. By mimicking Djokovic's technique, she hopes to turn a weakness into a strength.

Technical Breakdown of the New Return

Tennis analysts have noted that Osaka's previous return stance was more upright and narrow, with her weight shifting forward unevenly. Now, she employs a wider base with both feet jumping simultaneously as the server tosses the ball. This allows her to load energy through her legs and explode toward the ball with better balance. The change is subtle but could have a significant impact on her ability to handle fast serves, especially on hard courts.

In her second-round match against Petra Martic, the new technique was evident. Osaka not only made more returns but also moved into the court aggressively after the return, putting pressure on Martic's groundstrokes. She saved multiple break points and eventually closed out the match in a tense second-set tiebreak 9-7. The former world number one showed flashes of the aggressive returning that made her a champion, particularly when she broke Martic's serve in the first game of the match.

Historical Context: Players Who Copied Rivals

The history of tennis is full of players who have borrowed techniques from their rivals. Serena Williams, for example, adopted the aggressive return stance of her father Richard, which was inspired by the men's game. Roger Federer modified his backhand after watching Pete Sampras. More recently, Carlos Alcaraz has incorporated elements of Djokovic's return into his own game. Osaka's move is part of a long tradition of players using the best of the best to improve their own craft.

For Osaka, the decision to copy Djokovic is particularly telling because it shows her willingness to evolve. At 26 years old (she turns 27 later this year), she is still young enough to make significant technical changes. With Fissette's guidance and her own relentless work ethic, she has a genuine shot at returning to the top of the rankings. Her next match is against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko, a dangerous opponent who won the title in Hua Hin earlier this season. A win would send Osaka into the quarter-finals and provide even more evidence that her new return is paying dividends.

The Bigger Picture

Osaka's story is also one of resilience and adaptation. After giving birth, many players struggle to regain their pre-pregnancy form. But Osaka has shown that she is willing to make the necessary adjustments, both physically and technically. Her openness about copying Djokovic is refreshing in a sport where players often guard their secrets. It also highlights the collaborative nature of tennis, where even the greatest players look to others for inspiration.

The tennis world will be watching closely as Osaka continues her comeback. If the new return technique proves sustainable, she could become a threat at the upcoming March swing in Indian Wells and Miami, where hard courts suit her style of play. For now, the wins in Doha are a strong signal that the former world number one is on the right track. As she continues to refine her return, she may well join the elite group of players who can combine a dominating serve with a consistent and aggressive return game.

Naomi Osaka's journey back to the top of women's tennis is just beginning, but her decision to learn from the best shows that she is not content with mere participation. She wants to compete for titles again. And if copying Novak Djokovic's return style helps her achieve that, then there is no reason why she cannot once again dominate the women's game.

Source: Tribalfootball News