Australian Open 2020: Osaka in a happy place in Melbourne

Naomi Osaka has found a happy place in Melbourne, saying it was strange how upbeat she was at the Australian Open.

Osaka was too good for Marie Bouzkova 6-2 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena on Monday, beginning her title defence with a comfortable win.

The 22-year-old Japanese star said it was unusual just how happy she was in Victoria’s capital.

“For me it’s really odd here. I just feel really happy,” Osaka told a news conference.

“I don’t really have this mentality of defending now. It’s really weird. But I’m very thankful for it, because I think if I did go into the match with that, I would have been tense.”

Like she never left

Osaka navigates Bouzkova 6-2 6-4 to kick off her title defence in impressive fashion.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qLzF90dtmN

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020

Osaka, who faces Zheng Saisai in the second round, revealed her dad watched her from the players’ box for the first time at a grand slam during her victory over Bouzkova.

“He’s just superstitious. Before when he used to sit in my box I would just look at him and complain a lot, but I have matured over the past three or four years he hasn’t sat in my box,” she said.

“He was like my coach during Tokyo and Beijing. He was sitting in my box the entire time. He has a good winning streak by sitting in my box.”