The tennis world is abuzz with the emerging trend of on-court journaling, a practice that has been notably adopted by two of the sport’s rising stars, Naomi Osaka and Mirra Andreeva. Aged just 17, Andreeva has been making waves in the tennis scene, with her secret journaling practice playing a vital role in her meteoric rise.
Andreeva’s habit of jotting down tactics and mental notes before every match has been instrumental in her recent victories at the WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. The Russian prodigy revealed this strategy in a conversation with Tennis BOL’SHE, stating it as a means of self-encouragement and focus.
Interestingly, Naomi Osaka, the former world number one, implements the same practice. Despite her challenging 2025 season, with a withdrawal from the ASB Classic final due to an abdominal injury and early exits in the Australian Open and Indian Wells, Osaka’s fortunes appeared to take a turn at the Miami Open.
Osaka’s performance in Miami has been nothing short of impressive. She claimed a hard-fought win against Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtsewa and effortlessly overcame Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova. However, it was her focused scribbling in a notebook during the second-round match that caught everyone’s attention.
Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, applauded Osaka’s dedication and focus, expressing his pride and support through a post on Instagram. Earlier, Osaka confirmed her journaling habit, which she adopted last year, stating that it helped her play the way she intended and take the shots she needed to.
This practice, first observed at the 2024 Miami Open, has become a regular part of Osaka’s match routine. During the 2024 Italian Open, she was seen reading from a notebook during a changeover. In an interview with the Tennis Channel, Osaka shared that the notebook contained affirmations, a testament to the power of belief in her game.
Both Andreeva and Osaka’s successes seem to validate the efficacy of this journaling routine. Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ childhood coach, suggests that Andreeva’s Indian Wells victory and subsequent rise are just the beginning. He encourages young players to adopt Andreeva’s on-court writing practice.
Andreeva, the youngest WTA player since 2009 to win a 1000-level event, has been on a 12-match winning streak. Her victories against top players like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Clara Tauson have not only landed her a spot in the top 10 for the first time but also led to her second consecutive WTA 1000 win. This exceptional performance has propelled her to a career-best World No.6 ranking, making her the youngest player to achieve this feat since Maria Sharapova in 2005.
As the Miami Open continues, all eyes are on Andreeva as she squares off against compatriot Veronika Kudermetova. It’s clear that the tennis world eagerly awaits to see if Andreeva can clinch a third consecutive WTA 1000 title in 2025. Meanwhile, Osaka’s return to form has added an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament, with fans and experts keen to see how she leverages her journaling habit to further her game. Whether these tactics will become a widely adopted strategy in professional tennis remains to be seen.
