Naomi Osaka kicked off her Italian Open campaign with a gritty three-set victory over Eva Lys, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round. But one familiar face was notably absent from her player box: coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.
During her post-match press conference, Osaka opened up about why her coach missed the match. "He has, like, a personal thing that he had to go do," she explained, keeping the details brief but reassuring fans that everything was under control.
Even without Wiktorowski courtside, Osaka had plenty of support from her team. She highlighted hitting partner Matias Zukas, who stepped up to fill the coaching void. "He takes on the role of coach when Tomasz isn't there," she said, showcasing the trust and chemistry within her camp.
When asked how she prepares for unfamiliar opponents like Lys, Osaka was quick to credit her coach's game-planning. "Honestly, I kind of leave that up to my coach," she admitted, emphasizing Wiktorowski's importance to her preparation—even when he's not physically present.
Despite the absence, Osaka radiated confidence. She noted feeling good after her Madrid run and believes she's building momentum at the right time. That self-assurance could be crucial as she navigates a challenging clay-court season, with Roland Garros looming on the horizon.
British tennis player Liam Broady, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, praised both competitors. "What a match that was, it was a titanic battle of wills," he said. "Eva Lys did herself proud there. I actually thought she played very well. Made such a match out of it, where many players would have gone away after that first set with the way Osaka was playing."
Broady is backing Osaka to make a deep run in Rome, but the road ahead is anything but easy. Next up is Russia's Diana Shnaider in the third round, followed by a potential blockbuster clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the last 16. Swiatek hasn't lost to Osaka since 2019 and holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead.
If Osaka can pull off that upset, her projected path includes Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, and possibly Aryna Sabalenka in the final. It's a daunting lineup for anyone, let alone a player seeking her first WTA title on clay.
But with her current form, growing confidence, and a team that rallies even when a key member is away, Osaka has every reason to believe she can make some noise in Rome. This is the kind of resilience that defines champions—and makes for must-watch tennis.