"Naomi Osaka's so relaxed, happy... that can't always be good" - Chris Evert raises concerns over Japanese ahead of US Open 2024
Chris Evert has shared her concerns over Naomi Osaka's state of mind going into the 2024 US Open. According to Evert, Osaka currently appears to be in a relaxed and contented place. However, the 69-year-old believes that such a state of mind may negatively impact the Japanese's chances at the prestigious hardcourt Major.
Osaka is yet to rediscover her finest form following her comeback to the court, even though she has produced glimpses of her past brilliance. Since the commencement of the US Open Series, the former World No. 1 has had to contend with a second-round loss at the National Bank Open in Toronto and a qualifying second-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
Recently, Evert shared her assessment of the two-time US Open champion's chances at this year's edition of the hardcourt Major with the Los Angeles Times. According to the 69-year-old, Osaka still "has the game" to muster a deep run at Flushing Meadows. However, Evert conceded that at a Grand Slam, "it takes more than the game" to succeed.
"I know she has the game, but it takes more than the game. It takes a lot of confidence and a lot of focus. We’ll see. She’s in a different part of her life right now where it seems she’s so calm and she’s so relaxed and happy and peaceful," Evert told Los Angeles Times.
The 18-time singles Major winner opined that, for Osaka to compete for the biggest titles again, a change may be necessary in the Japanese's mental state.
"The mental problems haven’t really affected her. She has a child, which she is madly in love with. Sometimes when you are too happy, that can’t always be good either, I don’t know, for us to be intense and fierce," Evert added.
Earlier this year, Evert took notice of Osaka rolling back the years with a performance that threatened to end Iga Swiatek's French Open dominance.
Chris Evert was impressed by Naomi Osaka's performance in her pulsating French Open 2024 2R clash against Iga Swiatek
Osaka was on the verge of ousting reigning World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek from the 2024 French Open in the second round. However, Swiatek saved a match point before remarkably turning things around in her favor, condemning the Japanese to a 6-7(1), 6-1, 5-7 loss.
Evert, later took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"This match....... 🔥💪🏼👊worthy of a final.....," Evert wrote.
Osaka will soon be seen in action at the final Grand Slam of 2024 having received a wildcard entry to the tournament. Her two title triumphs at the US Open came in 2018 (against Serena Williams in the final) and 2020 (against Victoria Azarenka in the final). However, her 2021 and 2022 outings at Flushing Meadows were underwhelming, culminating in third-round and first-round exits, respectively.