Naomi Osaka wins in three sets on her return to the French Open – and is happy about her daughter’s first steps.
Successful return to Paris for Naomi Osaka: Two years after her last appearance at the French Open, the four-time Grand Slam winner from Japan has won her opening match at Roland Garros. On the first day of the tournament, Osaka beat Lucia Bronzetti from Italy 6:1, 4:6, 7:5. In the second round, she could face defending champion Iga Swiatek (Poland).
Singles Women, 1st Round Arrow Right Singles Men, 1st Round Arrow Right
Osaka (26), who triumphed twice at the major tournaments in New York and Melbourne, does not have the best memories of the clay court classic in Paris. She has never made it past the third round, in 2021 she refused to attend the obligatory press conferences after her matches, reported mental health problems and gave up after the second round. In 2022 she failed in the first round. Last year she was pregnant and absent.
Daughter takes first steps in Paris
Her daughter Shai motivates Osaka to build on her previous successes on clay. “I’m learning a lot of lessons from being a mother and I hope to be able to apply them on the tennis court,” she said before her debut. She brought her ten-month-old daughter with her in Paris – and watched Shai’s first steps. “I was so happy about it,” Osaka said, “it’s so nice to have her here.”
