Federer: Osaka's Winning Attitude

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Federer: Osaka's Winning Attitude

Naomi Osaka's explosiveness between the lines empowered the 20-year-old to her maiden major at the US Open.

Roger Federer believes Osaka's strength between the ears is one of her biggest assets.

Watch: Top 5 Federer Upsets

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who faced off against Osaka at Hopman Cup, said she has a "winner's mentality."

"I think winning Indian Wells helped her to believe that she could also win another big title," Federer said at an Uniqlo event in comments published by Sky Sports. "I think she is a champion in the sense that she doesn't shy away from the big stage. Indian Wells is the second biggest tennis court we have in the world and the US Open is the biggest one.

"She succeeded in both of them and that shows a winner's mentality."

Osaka says improved focus has helped her rise to No. 6 in the rankings in her breakthrough season.

"On the court, I have to think focus because it's not something that's natural to me," Osaka said. "It's something I've been working on throughout this whole year and I think it's finally clicked or at least it's more consistent."

Photo credit: Hopman Cup

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