Naomi Osaka has disclosed that she has plans to play the mixed doubles at Wimbledon when she returns to the event for the first time since 2019 this summer.  

The four-time Slam champion went out in the second round of the Madrid Open to home talent Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-3, 6-1.

Despite the loss, the Japanese star was still able to look at the positives as she continues to build her skills on the unfamiliar clay.

Osaka revealed to reporters in Madrid: “So I have been really trying to focus on my net game because I’m going to play mixed doubles in Wimbledon.

“I know, shocking, right?

“I’m shocked too.”

 

 

While the Slams are the only events that offer mixed doubles competition, incredibly, the last time Osaka even played doubles on the WTA tour was all the way back in September 2017 alongside her sister Mari.

As such, the former world number one is looking to improve on those aspects of the game that are most important in doubles, namely volleys.

She added: “I really don’t want to disappoint the person I’m playing with, because whenever I play doubles I always say, ‘Sorry.’

“I’m going to try not to be a liability.”

When asked who her partner will be, Naomi Osaka said: “If this person sees it and they want to like respond, they can do that.

“But I don’t know, isn’t it more fun to kind of see it when it’s around the time?

“I’m pretty sure if you wanted to guess you could guess who it is.”

The official WTA Twitter even put out a call for guesses, with many putting forward Nick Kyrgios or Andy Murray.

Kyrgios paired up with Venus Williams at Wimbledon last summer while Murray joined forces with Serena back in 2019.

Another user suggested compatriot Kei Nishikori could make for a good team.

Kei should be the only viable choice pic.twitter.com/aL0kJfCuLM

— Loli (@LoliLondon) May 2, 2022

? Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB