Naomi Osaka ‘enjoying’ battle to get back to top of tennis world
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Japan’s Naomi Osaka has never got past the third round at the French Open.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
PARIS – Naomi Osaka is “enjoying” her fight to climb back to the upper echelons of tennis as she prepares for her French Open campaign, after showing signs of a return to form in 2025.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who missed a match point against eventual winner Iga Swiatek in one of the most exciting matches of the 2024 tournament, has returned to the world’s top 50.
She did not play in 2023 due to the birth of her daughter and struggled for consistency after returning to the professional circuit last season.
But the Japanese star, who has been open in the past about her battles with depression and mental health issues, says she is now relishing her tennis.
“I think I’m enjoying the time more. I’m enjoying seeing the newer players coming up,” world No. 49 Osaka said on May 24.
“I don’t know. Feels like the circle of life a little bit.
“I think for me I know that I came back and I’m choosing to spend this time away from my daughter in order to attempt to achieve things, so I have to make the most out of that time.
“Coming here or playing any tournament without a positive mentality would just be pointless.”
The 27-year-old stepped down a level to play a second-tier Challenger event in Saint-Malo earlier in May and secured her first tournament victory since winning the 2021 Australian Open.
She has also produced strong runs in bigger competitions, reaching the last 16 at both the Miami and Italian Opens.
“I think the decision itself (to play in Saint-Malo) was kind of difficult, because in your mind, you do have a little bit of pride,” Osaka admitted.
“There was a lot of pressure. I wouldn’t really say it was to not lose, but it was more like I had in the back of my head, ‘I wonder what people would say about me if I lost here’.
“Granted, I should never be thinking about that when I’m playing a tennis match... But I got over it.”
Osaka also revealed her preparations for Roland Garros, where she will face Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa in the first round, were hit by a 5am wake-up call from anti-doping officials on May 24.
“Today was kind of scary, because the last year I was here they also came at 5am, and the lady couldn’t find my veins at all,” she said. “I had huge bruises on my arms for a while. Thankfully it wasn’t the same lady. No shade to her.”
Osaka has been wearing flower-inspired outfits in 2025 and unveiled cherry blossom-themed shoes for Roland Garros, with potentially a kit to match.
“I’m really excited about the kit, because I designed it,” she said. “I don’t know if you can see... but I did my nails and they’re sakura-themed too.”
Osaka, who has never got past the third round at the French Open, will be playing Badosa for the first time on May 26.
“It’s kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet,” she added.
“I think I’m going to be nervous because it is the first round, and I’m always nervous in the first round. Hopefully they’ll put us on a really good court.” AFP
