WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka successfully returned to competitive tennis after an absence of nearly three months on Monday, securing a victory in the opening round of the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland. The Japanese star, undaunted by protests staged outside the stadium against her Israeli opponent, overcame qualifier Lina Glushko with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-4 in a closely contested match. Osaka’s comeback marked her first appearance since October when a back injury sustained at the China Open prematurely concluded her 2024 season.
Throughout the match, Osaka exhibited the trademark elements of her game that have defined her success on the court. Her formidable serve, potent groundstrokes, particularly from the forehand, and aggressive playstyle were all on display. Despite recent injury concerns, Osaka appeared composed and at ease, demonstrating no obvious signs of physical limitations.
Challenges beyond the match itself emerged as Osaka grappled with adverse weather conditions on center court, compounded by disruptions caused by a vocal group of protesters outside the venue. The disruptive chants infiltrated the stadium, necessitating intermittent pauses in play. In a pivotal moment during the first set, a delay ensued as Glushko required medical attention for a hip injury, further adding to the match’s complexity.
Reflecting on the distractions, Osaka revealed, “I just heard a lot of shouting, and then people on the sidelines were telling me there were protests. I had no idea what the score was most of the time. I just kept trying to tell myself one point at a time and trying not to get discouraged. Thankfully, it came out in my favor in the end.”
Providing support from the sidelines was Osaka’s new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, known for his extensive partnership with Serena Williams. Under Mouratoglou’s guidance, Osaka secured an early break in the first set, ultimately prevailing 6-4. The ensuing set proved more competitive, with Osaka breaking Glushko in the third game before the Israeli player mounted a brief comeback to level the score at 2-2.
A pivotal juncture in the match occurred when Glushko attained a 4-3 lead in the second set. Osaka, however, demonstrated resilience by responding emphatically, delivering two crucial aces to level the set at 4-4. Capitalizing on her momentum, Osaka secured a vital break and subsequently held her serve to love, closing out the match in her favor.
Osaka’s serving prowess remained a cornerstone of her performance, highlighted by seven aces and an impressive 74% first serve points won. Notably, her first serve consistently clocked in around 180kmh (111mph), while her slice deliveries averaged approximately 140kmh (87mph).
