Naomi Osaka Claims First Title as a New Mom at L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, celebrated a significant milestone by winning the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France on Sunday. This win marks her first title since the 2021 Australian Open and her first since becoming a mother in July 2023.

Victory Over Kaja Juvan

In the finals, Osaka triumphed over Kaja Juvan with a score of 6-1, 7-5. Notably, this victory also signifies her first title on clay at any level.

Reflection on Growth

Expressing her thoughts on social media, Osaka remarked, “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 I’m grateful.”

A Step Towards Recovery

While the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo is categorized as a WTA 125 event and not an official WTA Tour title, it represents a crucial step for Osaka as she aims to regain her competitive form. Following an early exit at the Madrid Open just two weeks prior, this win is seen as a vital bounce-back moment.

Coach Insights

Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, emphasized the importance of match play for her recovery, stating, “She really needs to play matches. For the last six, eight months she has been injured a lot, so unfortunately she hasn’t been able to play enough.” He added, “And we feel it’s the thing that she needs the most now, we had three weeks of intensive practice on clay, so she is ready to play. And now she has to play matches; I think that’s the thing she needs the most.”

Current Ranking and Future Prospects

As of now, Osaka holds the No. 55 position in the world rankings, but she is expected to rise to No. 48 when the WTA Rankings are updated on Monday.