Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka takes 1st title in 4 years and her first on clay




Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka claimed her first WTA title since triumphing at the 2021 Australian Open, and on her seemingly worst surface.

Osaka beat Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 Sunday in France to win L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 tournament, and secure her first ever trophy on clay.

It was also the Japanese player's first WTA title since she became a mother in July 2023, returning to tennis at the start of the following year.

"Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst," Osaka wrote on X. "That's one of my favourite things about life though, there's always room to grow and evolve.

"Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know it's turbulent but it's also really fun and I'm grateful."

The former world No. 1 will rise to No. 48 in the WTA rankings on Monday.

Osaka has two Australian Open and two U.S. Open crowns on hard courts but has a poor record at the French Open and pulled out of the clay-court tournament in 2021 before the second round to take a mental health break.

The 27-year-old's clay-court season had started with a loss in the first round of the Madrid Open last month.

The French Open starts May 25.



Source link

Posted: 2025-05-05 06:58:33

Gardening expert lists 6 jobs to do in April and one is great for bees
 



... Read More

Volkswagen recalls 177,493 cars after spotting major issue
 



... Read More

The UK's most expensive seaside neighbourhood where houses sell for £1.5million | UK | News
 



... Read More

Donatella Versace defied expectations to become a fashion icon of her own | Versace
 



... Read More

Wines you’ll really want to Swig | Wine
 



... Read More

In Israel, dread and rage haunt the streets. Netanyahu is exploiting that | Jonathan Freedland
 



... Read More

Man Utd staff 'facing 200 more job cuts' and Ratcliffe may axe leaders | Football | Sport
 



... Read More

The Godfather fans gobsmacked after learning why film never uses specific word | Films | Entertainment
 



... Read More