Osaka on Sabalenka: I Can Potentially Match Her Power

By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, April 27, 2026
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook

Naomi Osaka pushed Aryna Sabalenka to three sets on Madrid’s red clay—and earned an epiphany in the process.

In the aftermath of her 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 Mutua Madrid Open loss to Aryna Sabalenka today, Osaka said she draws positives from the defeat. Six weeks after Sabalenka shredded Osaka 6-2, 6-4 on Indian Wells’ hard court, the former No. 1 said today’s physical three-setter showed her she can potentially match the reigning Madrid champion’s power.

In fact, Osaka ripped point-ending drives off both wings down both sidelines at times in building a one-set lead today.

“I think just knowing how close it was. I feel like every game was super close,” Osaka told the media in Madrid. “I think I realize, like, I could potentially match her in power.

“I feel like in Indian Wells I was a little overwhelmed. Here I did a little bit better. Obviously she’s the No. 1 player in the world, so it was a really cool match for me to know that I’m like kind of there.”

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said she will arrive in Rome and Paris encouraged by her clay-court progress.

“Losing is not a positive thing for me, but I can take positives from this match,” Osaka said. “Obviously I feel like I’m in a better spot than I was last year.

“Last year I wasn’t ranked. This year I’m ranked. I can go to Rome as a seed, which is really cool for me.
Yeah, I mean, it was a really tough match, but I feel better than how I played her in Indian Wells.”

Last spring, Osaka won the WTA 125 Saint Malo title on red clay. Though she’s only contested one Tour-level semifinal on dirt, Osaka reached the round of 16 in Rome last June before bowing in her Roland Garros opener to Paula Badosa, 6-4 in the third set.

The 28-year-old Osaka shared she will be missing one key team member for next month’s French Open. Osaka’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Shai, who has been in Madrid with her famous mother, won’t be making the trip to Paris.

“No, she has school. I like to keep her in her school just to have routine,” Osaka said of her daughter. “She was just here for a little bit. She will probably go back [home] in a few days.”