“She really needs to play matches.” Naomi Osaka’s coach and Serena Williams’ former trainer Patrick Mouratouglou revealed few days back while emphasizing on the Japanese star’s need to compete actively. Due to her injury woes this season, she’s not been able to appear in many WTA events, thus failing to maintain consistency. But last week, the four-time slam queen regained her lost form, following back-to-back early exits in previous tournaments. On a surface she feels the least confident, Osaka managed to pull of her maiden title win, in Saint-Malo, at a 125-level challenger event. More than the level, however, it was the victory that mattered. That’s what a former American pro also believes who’s hoping for the Japanese pro to perform brilliantly in the upcoming clay season.
After four years, since winning the Australian Open in February 2021, Osaka has clinched a WTA title. And that, too, on clay where she mostly struggles. “Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” she wrote on social media while celebrating her triumph on Sunday. “That’s one of my favorite 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.”
In the summit clash, Osaka beat Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan in straights with a score line of 6-1, 7-5. Witnessing her comeback win, former American pro John Isner was left highly impressed. In an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, dated May 6, he shared his thoughts on the WTA pro’s triumph in Saint-Malo. “She goes down there, keeps her head down, takes care of business, wins that tournament. So she gets a lot of matches in a row to build her confidence going forward in the clay court season. So this is also the first clay court title of her career.”
Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst. That’s one of my favorite 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… pic.twitter.com/oR5OY5pTJN
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 4, 2025
Moreover, he also wondered about Osaka’s prospects in upcoming events. “Is she back? So with Naomi Osaka with a lot of confidence, everyone would agree is a threat really at any tournament she’s going to play, maybe even at Roland Garros, right guys?” Well, another ex-American player, Steve Johnson, had an interesting take on the WTA star while admiring her efforts in a 125-level tournament.
He said, “It’s a tough proposition to be in, especially in someone of her shoes, with the success she’s had in her career to go back down a massive level to play a challenger event on the women’s side. She was down a set and a break I believe in the first round in that tournament. So that could have gone south quickly. But ultimately she battled through some serious adversity, got through a challenger event which is still not easy to win in anyone’s shoes.”
Johnson continued, “But great for her to get that win, get some matches to go back down a level and win a tournament. It’s always good to be the last person standing in any event regardless of level. So good for her to get that and hopefully she can carry some of that success to the WTA level.”
While the victory in Saint-Malo will boost Osaka’s confidence she’s yet to get on winning ways ahead of the French Open. If she wants to get her hands on a fifth slam, the former World No.1 will need to put on a dominating show in Rome before landing in Paris.
Naomi Osaka’s got an Italian challenge ahead of the 2025 French Open
Back in March, before starting her Indian Wells campaign, Naomi Osaka had an interaction with CNN. During the interview, dated February 22, she expressed her goals for 2025 season. Especially when it comes to targeting a fifth major trophy. And guess which event she’s looking most forward to? “I have a lot of goals going forward. For as long as I can play, I really want to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros (the French Open) and get a career grand slam.”
Well it appears she has her slights set on the French Open, alongside the Wimbledon. But she will need to be extremely consistent with her form if she wants to accomplish this objective. So what’s next for her?
This week, Osaka will kickstart her Italian Open campaign on Wednesday. At the WTA 1000 event, she will go against a familiar rival, Italy’s Sara Errani, in the first round. It appears to be an encounter in favor of the Japanese star. Why? In h2h tally, she’s already ahead with a 2-0 lead over Errani.
However, Errani’s known for delivering good performances on the clay court. Also, the two have never met on the clay surface yet. Hence, it will be intriguing to see how their third face-off will transpire this week. What are your thoughts on Osaka’s prospects in Rome? Will she win her second straight clay court trophy after Saint-Malo? Let us know in the comments below.
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