CHINA OPEN

October 2, 2026

Naomi Osaka

Mixed Zone

N. OSAKA/M. Timofeeva

6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Q. Was the second set more about you or more about her?

NAOMI OSAKA: It's hard to say. I'm the type of player that always thinks it's about me. I should have served a lot better. I also think I gave her the opportunity to be aggressive. Probably if you ask her, it would be a different story.

I really think it depends on how we're all internally feeling.

Q. With the Grand Slams complete this year, how do you view the end of the season? Is it more almost preparing for '27 or just closing the year on a good note?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, for me, this is the Asian Swing. It's kind of like my home swing. Well, I kind of refer to everything as my home swing (smiling).

You know, I love to be here. I won this tournament before. I'm ending in Tokyo. That I also consider my home. I just want to, like, do well to hopefully have an opportunity to be higher seeded going into Australia.

I'm definitely going to try my best and just see what happens.

Q. Eight years ago you beat Serena Williams in a Grand Slam final. After that you spoke openly about having mental health issues, took a break. Now I'm sure you became an amazing mother. Does it get easier now? Are you happier without winning slams or being No. 1 or No. 2 in the ranking or the pressure doesn't change?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, I think it's all about mindset. I feel like I'm definitely happier now. It's because, like, tennis isn't my entire life. I've managed to build a life outside of that. My daughter's a huge part of it.

I feel like it's also a part of growing up. I think I was very sheltered as a kid. I literally ate, slept and breathed for tennis. Now it's just like growing up being grateful to be able to play the sport, but understanding that nothing lasts forever.

I'm just trying to do the best with the time that I have.

Q. Is she understanding what mum does?

NAOMI OSAKA: Shai?

Q. Yes.

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, she knows that I play tennis. She knows that I travel for work. I don't know if she understands, like, the level of my tennis, but she knows that's what I do.

Q. There are so many tennis fans of you in the China Open. Do you want to say something to them?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, I want to say thank you. I'm just really grateful that they came out. I know that we don't have the opportunity - well, I don't come out here that often - but for them to show up and cheer, it means a lot.

Q. Could you talk about your view on sports and fashion.

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, I think from my end, all that (indiscernible) I speak to love fashion. We just kind of are restricted by our uniforms, by our match kits.

From my end, I just feel like it's really fun to switch it up a little bit and have the opportunity to show that there could be more, yeah.

Q. Could you give some tips to the young tennis players to improve their tennis skills?

NAOMI OSAKA: I feel like you should ask someone else (smiling).

Tips? I think when I was younger, it was definitely really important just to get your reps in. Spend a lot of time on the court, listen to your coach. But yeah, just try to get familiar with the court, familiar with the speed of the ball. Just spend a lot of hours on the tennis court.

Q. You will be playing Sara Bejlek. Had a big win in Cincinnati. How much do you know about her game?

NAOMI OSAKA: Hmmm...

Q. Don't know too much?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, I've seen her around. I just didn't go to Cincinnati, so... I'm also the type that I don't really watch when I'm not playing, so I don't watch often.

But no, I mean, there was a tournament she won earlier. I remember seeing her name around, just thinking, wow, it's cool that there's young good players coming up. She was added to my mental list of that.

I think I watched her play a couple points in Cincinnati 'cause she played Sabalenka.

Q. You remember more than you think.

NAOMI OSAKA: I'm trying (smiling).

So yeah, other than that, I'll probably need to refresh my brain.