Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, secured her first WTA title since her victory at the 2021 Australian Open, surprising everyone by clinching the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo on clay— a surface she once considered her weakest. In a hard-fought match, Osaka defeated Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to claim the WTA 125 tournament title and mark her first triumph on clay. This win also marked a significant milestone for Osaka, being her first WTA title since returning to tennis after becoming a mother in July 2023. In a reflective post on X, Osaka shared her thoughts on the victory, acknowledging the irony of winning on the surface she had previously struggled with. She expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey, emphasizing the joy and growth that come with challenges. Following this victory, Osaka is set to climb to No. 48 in the WTA rankings. Despite her success on hard courts with two Australian Open and two U.S. Open titles, Osaka has faced challenges on clay, including a difficult period during the French Open in 2021 where she withdrew from the tournament to prioritize her mental health. Osaka’s clay-court season this year had a shaky start with an early exit at the Madrid Open. As the French Open approaches on May 25, Osaka’s recent win has brought renewed optimism for her future performances. For more tennis news, visit AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
