Naomi Osaka

Press Conference

N. OSAKA/C. Osorio

6-1, 3-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Naomi, a battle out there today, but happy with the win?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, definitely. I think it was a really tough match for me, and I remember I lost to her last year here, so it was just really good to get the win this time around.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You came out firing in that third set. What were you telling yourself after dropping the second? What adjustments did you have to make?

NAOMI OSAKA: Honestly, I just told myself to be more positive. I think in the second set, I just got really frustrated with a lot of mistakes that I made, and I let it kind of consume me, in a way.

In the third set, I just tried to take it point by point and not look too far ahead.

Q. When you lost to her last year, you made it pretty clear you weren't happy with how you played in that match. Your results have also gotten significantly improved over the last 12 months. Did it feel like a full-circle moment today to come back and get that win?

NAOMI OSAKA: I don't know about full circle, but I do know I don't like losing to the same person often. I did have that in mind, especially since it's in the same location. But I would hope that I have become a better player since last year.

Q. You're playing Aryna next. I think you have only played her once before, 2018. How much do you look forward to that match?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, for me, it's really exciting. I have watched her, I don't want to say "grow over the years," because I think she's only a little bit younger than me and I feel like an old person, but yeah, I have watched her grow over the years.

Obviously she's so consistent, she's the No. 1 player in the world and it's, for me, very motivating. I'm excited to play her, and I'm looking forward to it a lot.

Q. What's wrong with the Lakers?

NAOMI OSAKA: What's wrong with the Lakers? I don't know. I'm not the GM. (Laughter.)

Oh, God.

Q. It was kind of a joke.

NAOMI OSAKA: Okay. I'm, like, thinking about it. (Laughter.)

Q. "Tennis IQ," a term we hear a lot of, I wonder if, in your own mind, what is your definition of a player who has a high tennis IQ? What would that definition be? In your opinion, is it something you're born with or something you can pick up over the years?

NAOMI OSAKA: I definitely don't think it's something you're born with. I think it's something you pick up over the years, whether it's something that comes naturally or not. I think for some people it comes naturally, and for others they have to really study. But, yeah, I feel like when you talk to those people, you can also tell.

Q. Do you have an example in your mind, your opinion, that has a high tennis IQ?

NAOMI OSAKA: You know, he's a commentator now, but when I used to talk to Chris, I feel like he could talk about tennis for hours.

I think Nick Kyrgios, he had -- not had, like past tense, because I don't know what he's doing now, but he has a pretty high tennis IQ too.

Q. What are your realistic expectations for the tour architecture sort of committee that's been put together about any changes on the calendar and the tour?

NAOMI OSAKA: I didn't even know that was a thing. I am so sorry.

THE MODERATOR: It's the council that Jess Pegula is heading to look at the schedule.

NAOMI OSAKA: I will be briefed on that and come back to you on a later date. Sorry. (Laughter.)

Q. A bit of a random question: How many unanswered text messages are on your phone right now?

NAOMI OSAKA: Well, usually I have zero, because maybe I read them and I don't respond, but unanswered... No, I usually try to at least put a little, you know, the Emoji responses? So I'll do that.

Okay, apparently I don't respond often. That's the look that I'm getting, but in my head, I respond. But maybe I don't send it. I just think it in my head and I forget to type it.

Q. I wonder if that match with Aryna, US Open, round of 16, 2018, how does that one live in your mind? Is that one you remember vividly? If so, do you have any recollections?

NAOMI OSAKA: No, I do remember it just because I felt like in that tournament, that was the hardest match for me, and I remember thinking, like, we're both going to get very far.

So, yeah, obviously I was right. But yeah, no, it was definitely a really difficult match. It's really cool to see how far we both have come.