Last week, Naomi Osaka proved that champions have the power to rewrite their narratives.
Electing to play a WTA 125 event in Saint Malo, France, the former world No.1 picked up the first clay-court title of her career – and her first since becoming a mother.
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While that tournament victory does not compare to the points, prize money and prestige of her four Grand Slam triumphs, it nevertheless holds deep personal significance.
“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” Osaka posted to Instagram, pictured holding the trophy. “That’s one of my favourite things about life though, there’s always room to grow and evolve… I know it’s turbulent but it’s also really fun and I’m grateful.”
Australian tennis legend John Fitzgerald highlighted the importance of Osaka’s achievement, understanding the mindset of a champion returning to the winner’s circle after a long absence.
“That feeling of winning a tournament comes, for most of us, very rarely at that level. There was only six times in my career I didn’t leave the tournament as a loser,” Fitzgerald said on this week’s episode of The Tennis.
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“They’re very difficult to win – this would be a beautiful feeling for her to win again.”
It had been a long time since Osaka last experienced that feeling. More than four years, in fact – her previous title came at Australian Open 2021.
Her breakthrough on clay is particularly rewarding given her past struggles on the surface, and limited exposure to it.
Osaka and her team have prioritised improving her clay-court results, and after a collective five match wins across Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros last year, she’s now built a seven-match winning streak on the surface.
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“It’s a story of resilience when you can go through what Naomi’s been through, and what a credit to her,” Fitzgerald said.
“I think it will give her a real kick-along.”
Osaka’s momentum has carried over from Saint Malo into Rome, where she has advanced to the third round.
That seventh consecutive clay-court win came via a gutsy comeback over Viktorija Golubic on Thursday in the Italian capital.
As Osaka, now ranked 48th, continues to turn around her results on what was once her “worst” surface, she next faces Marie Bouzkova for a place in the last 16 in Rome.
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