MIAMI — Naomi Osaka knew what she was about to say was both unusual and revealing, but the rising 20-year-old star is generally not one to hide her feelings.
“This is going to be really bad,” she warned.
Then Osaka, coming off her first WTA tour win, at Indian Wells, Calif., on Sunday, proceeded to explain that she had relied on a four-word mantra throughout her young career to help guide her though big moments on the court. It goes through her head, and often comes out on the strings of her racket.
“Sometimes when I’m in a really important position, when I’m serving, I’m like, ‘What would Serena do?