CHINA OPEN

October 4, 2026

Naomi Osaka

Mixed Zone

N. OSAKA/S. Bejlek

7-6, 6-4

Q. How was it playing Sara and getting through a tough two-set match?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, she's a really good player, so I learned that. Obviously with her results, I knew she was going to be a great player.

But I think it's tricky. I actually didn't know she was lefty until Tomasz made me start practicing with a lefty. That was a bit of a surprise.

I think she's a great mover. I think she's aggressive when she needs to be. I didn't know she comes in and volleys that often.

Yeah, definitely a really fun and stressful match.

Q. What's the confidence that you get out of being able to deal with a player that was like that, then weather, windy, cold, not your favorite conditions, but to come out of it with a straight-set win?

NAOMI OSAKA: Actually I don't mind conditions.

Q. The cold.

NAOMI OSAKA: Well, I haven't had to play in a long sleeve in a while.

I don't really mind having bad conditions, because the other person has to deal with it, too. If I think about it, in my career, I've had the experience of playing a couple uncomfortable matches.

It was actually okay. I didn't feel like it was that windy, yeah.

Q. You have been world No. 1. You've won Grand Slams. Is that Grand Slam title or the rank of No. 1 either more special in your mind?

NAOMI OSAKA: Like what's more important, if I had to choose?

Q. Yes.

NAOMI OSAKA: For me, you guys know me, I'll play for the slams and then I'll skip tournaments, so... The slams are definitely, in my opinion, more important.

I feel like they're both very special. I just feel like the moment of lifting a Grand Slam trophy, in my career, was more important than being No. 1.

But I'll take the No. 1 ranking, too (smiling).

Q. Are you surprised of the loss of Rybakina and Sabalenka? Having been a No. 1, how does it feel to play against every opponent and have that target on the back?

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I mean, I think that's something that you just grow to live with. I mean, I'm not really surprised because they had a really long season. I don't know if this is their first tournament since US Open. It's kind of getting back into the swing of things.

Everyone here is either really tired or trying to finish the season off strong. This is the swing where there's a lot of I don't want to say upsets because everyone is really good, but you'll see a couple surprises.

Yeah, I feel like once you get to a certain level, everyone that plays you is trying to win.

Q. Recently the weather has changed. Have you made some preparations before the match?

NAOMI OSAKA: No (smiling).

Q. Nearly the end of the season, if you look back on this year, one of the big elevations is just the mental fortitude to stick through some of the tougher moments through the season. Talk a little bit about what you think clicked a little bit this year. I don't know if it was more belief in yourself? Physical fitness? I feel like the last couple years there have been times where there was maybe a little bit of a mental checkout. Doesn't seem to have happened that much this year.

NAOMI OSAKA: Yeah, I was thinking about that, too.

I feel like from my end, I really realized the only thing I can do is try my best every match. I feel like when I was younger, I kind of copped out in the way like I would mentally check out a little bit when it would be very tight or just, like, the stress would make me feel very overwhelmed.

Now I just feel like every match that I get to play is a gift. Like, I could be injured or something could have happened to me where I couldn't play anymore. I'm just grateful to play. I'm grateful that my daughter's healthy, very energetic.

I don't think of this in a bad way, but if I were to have lost after trying my best, I get to go home and see her, so...

No matter what happens, it's kind of a win.

Q. They say every tennis player has a few superstitions or something they do before the match. Is there something you have to do before every single match before you go into the court?

NAOMI OSAKA: I mean, I have a couple, but they're not extreme. I always have to put my right shoe on before my left shoe. I listen to, like, specific songs in order. I eat the same thing. Hmmm... Basically do the same exact routine. Nothing crazy (laughter).

Q. Looking ahead, you'll play Karolina Muchova or Liudmila Samsonova. Can you talk about the challenge of playing each one.

NAOMI OSAKA: I've played them a couple of times. I played Muchova in the quarters of Wimby, which sucked for me but great for her. I mean, she's an amazing player. She's someone that you know is very dangerous no matter what. She could pretty much beat anybody.

I think from my end, no matter who I play, I just have to focus on myself. I think when I played Samsonova, she's like a crazy ball-striker. She can hit a winner from everywhere.

Just try to keep calm. Against Muchova, same thing, keep calm.