Naomi Osaka claims first title since becoming a mother
Former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has won her first title since becoming a mother, defeating Kaja Juvan in the final of a WTA 125 event in France. The win, her first ever on clay, marks a significant step in her return to competitive tennis following motherhood and previous breaks.
Former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has achieved a significant milestone in her return to professional tennis, securing her first title since becoming a mother. The Japanese star defeated Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan with a score of 6-1, 7-5 in the final of the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 event held in France.
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This victory is particularly meaningful for Osaka, who returned to competitive play at the beginning of 2024 after giving birth to her daughter in July 2023. Not only is this her first trophy since her comeback, but it also represents her first-ever title won on a clay court. Osaka herself acknowledged the unique nature of this win on social media platform X, writing that it was "kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst."
She added that this unexpected success highlights one of her favorite aspects of life: "there’s always room to grow and evolve." Osaka also took the opportunity to express gratitude to those who have supported her on what she described as a "turbulent but it’s also really fun" journey.
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The title win comes after a season that saw Osaka make a promising start, which was unfortunately "derailed by injuries." Her journey back to top form has also involved adjusting to playing tennis after motherhood; she revealed last year that she was still getting used to the physical demands, at one point stating she didn't "feel like I’m in my body." Osaka has also previously taken extended breaks from the sport to prioritize her mental health, making this return and title win even more significant.
The victory is set to have a positive impact on her world ranking, expected to push her back into the top 50 for the first time since her return to competitive action. Naomi Osaka is next scheduled to compete at the WTA 1000 Italian Open, with the tournament set to begin this Wednesday.
