Naomi Osaka on what it’s like to play Ash Barty

Defending champion Naomi Osaka says she has amazing respect for Aussie rival Ash Barty and is looking forward to fighting out every point with her on the court.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka is back in Melbourne for the Australian Open. Picture: David Caird

Defending champion Naomi Osaka has spoken of her respect and admiration for Aussie Ash Barty as the giants of women’s tennis get set to square off in the Australian Open.

In an exclusive interview with the Saturday Herald Sun, Osaka opened up on the strengths she sees in world No. 1 Barty as a player and person – as well as her love affair with Melbourne food.

“For me, what I like most about Ash, is that you can tell she is a hard worker,’’ she said.

“And her results, of course, show that.

“I really respect how she doesn’t complain and she plays every point … you can tell that she really loves the game.’’

With a potential fourth round clash looming between the two bookies’ favourites, Osaka was not sure how the match up would play out.

“But it will be interesting to find out,’’ she said.

Osaka, a brand ambassador for luxury watch maker Tag Heuer who will show off a timepiece she designed if she collects the $2.5 million winner’s cheque, said there was something special about the Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka. Picture: AFP

“To me the Australian Open is really innovative,’’ she said.

“When you come here for the first time you sort of feel like a bit of an explorer and there are a lot of new things every year that I come over here.

“Every year you’re a bit surprised by what new things they’ve put in the ground.’’

The two-time Australian Open champion sung the praises of Melbourne’s culinary scene, revealing she and her entourage played a game off-court rating the city’s best dishes.

“We pick different restaurants and we grade each other on which restaurant was the best,’’ she said.

“That has been kind of on my mind for the longest because I don’t want to disappoint them when it’s my turn to pick.’’

She said Melbourne had even aced its Japanese fare.

“We actually ate at this really great Japanese restaurant and it surprised us because we had never tried it or heard of it but it was really authentic,’’ she said.

Osaka’s management ordered questions about Novak Djokovic, her battles with anxiety and depression or Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai off-limits for the interview.

But a relaxed Osaka said she was preparing for the “Happy Slam” with success in mind.

Osaka is gearing up for a “Happy Slam”. Picture: Getty

“There is a bold statement I could say but I would say that I didn’t come here to lose in the first round, of course no one does,’’ she said.

“But at the end of the day I’m playing against the best players in the world, there is only one person who can win and it takes two weeks, that entire process.’’

She said the Andrews Government’s decision to cap Melbourne Park crowds at 50 per cent would not diminish the atmosphere or spectacle of the event.

“I do love feeling the energy of the crowd but I also played the US Open when there was no crowd allowed and last year (in Melbourne) there were a couple of days when there wasn’t a crowd allowed,’’ she said.

“So I will just try my best with what we are allowed to do.’’

Osaka said the lively atmosphere of Rod Laver Arena was what she loved most about the AO.

“I think what I like the most about playing in the Australian Open is just how energetic the audience is,’’ she said.

“And for me, I love the heat, so it feels really nice to battle it out in the sun.’’