'I need to believe in myself a lot more....' - Naomi Osaka opens up after an impressive win over fourth seed Elise Mertens at Libema Open

Tennis star Naomi Osaka made an impressive start to her first grass court season since 2019 by eliminating Elise Mertens in straight sets at the Libema Open 2024. The former world number one opened up about her decision to play again on grass and her intent to build on her showing against Iga Swiatek at the French Open, which earned her a match point against the winner of the French Open 2024.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka indeed challenged Iga Swiatek to the brink, and she says she feels "like a newbie" on the grass again. Osaka claimed her first grasscourt win since 2019 with a terrific 6-2, 6-4 victory over the fourth-seeded Elise Mertens at the Libema Open 2024. Osaka lost in the first round of Wimbledon in 2019, which was her most recent match on the surface.

“I'm kind of taking it as if this is my first year on grass. I think even now, this is my first time at this tournament so in some ways I feel like a newbie all over again. I've been in Europe since April, so this is a lot of commitment for me. I'm really happy that I'm doing this. I play better in the big stages against the best players. I play better in the big stages against the best players," Osaka said.

Hopefully, if I win a lot more matches during these preparation tournaments then I'll believe in myself: Osaka

Meanwhile, reaching the quarterfinals in Qatar is her finest performance to date, and in the end, she gave final champion Swiatek an intense test to cap off her clay season at the recently concluded French Open 2024. However, her greatest performance occurred in Nottingham in 2018, when she made it to the semifinals.

"Definitely really happy with my serve. I felt probably more confident in it on this surface than any other surface, so I'm glad I was able to pick that up quite fast. I felt initially on clay, coming back this year, more comfortable than my first day on grass. Hopefully, if I win a lot more matches during these preparation tournaments then I'll believe in myself," she added further.