Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka shared that this year’s claycourt season feels different for her, as she enters it with renewed confidence and momentum after a series of wins.
Osaka, from Japan, claimed her first-ever claycourt title at any level last week, defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in the final of the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 event. It was also her first WTA title since becoming a mother in July 2023.
“I wanted to gain more experience on clay and didn’t approach the tournament with much ego,” Osaka said after her 6-2
“I’m fine playing on Court 16 if that’s what’s required. The reason I returned wasn’t to always play on the center courts, but because I genuinely enjoy the game,” Osaka said.
She revealed that her decision to compete in Saint-Malo was inspired by American tennis legend Andre Agassi, who revived his career in the late 1990s by playing on the ATP Challenger Tour.
“I remember reading Agassi’s book, and there was a part where he mentioned flipping his own scoreboards. Someone yelled, ‘Image is everything!’ That part of the book stuck with me,” she explained.
Despite her past struggles on clay, where she has never advanced beyond the third round at the French Open, Osaka is set to compete in the main draw of the tournament later this month.
“I’m entering this with many more wins under my belt. Clearly, I feel much more at ease on clay now… I think clay really depends on strength,” Osaka remarked.
Osaka was scheduled to play ninth seed Paula Badosa in the Italian Open on Thursday, but after Badosa withdrew due to injury, Osaka easily defeated Swiss lucky loser 6-2, 6-3, securing her sixth consecutive win on clay.