Naomi Osaka's post-match comments speak volumes about how motherhood has changed her

Naomi Osaka lost a very tough but winnable match to Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open. The quality of tennis in the match was typical of a final, but fans were treated to this doozy in the second round.

How Osaka managed the defeat shows fans yet again that she has evolved so much since becoming a mother last year. Prior to having baby Shai, Osaka would have shown up at the postmatch press conference being hard on herself and with negative body language.

That pre-maternal attitude was nowhere to be found on Wednesday. Osaka was articulate and smiling at times and shared her inner thoughts immediately after the match.

What Naomi Osaka said

Naomi Osaka admitted that she cried when she got off the court; however, she told the media that she wrote in the little book accompanying her for matches: "I'm proud of you."

She also said that she believes her game is better than it was when she was World No. 1. And if fans did not need an added reason to be excited for the US Open this fall, the self-proclaimed "hard-court girl" admitted that this comeback has been all about being ready for September's US Open, the place where she won two of her four Grand Slam titles.

Iga Swiatek and the field should take notice that Osaka is back. Turning in a performance like that on the clay court of Roland Garros, her least favorite, means that the best is yet to come for Osaka and tennis fans this summer and fall.

Ironically, Osaka was asked about her preparation. She previously admitted that she did not know her draw had Iga Swiatek in it for a second-round match. Osaka said that she treated the Swiatek match much like she did when she played Serena Williams when Williams was World No. 1. She focused on her own game and what she could do on the court instead of focusing on the other player.

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