Former world No.1 will meet No.10 seed Paula Badosa in popcorn first round in Paris
©️Cédric Lecocq / FFTFor a player who has lifted four Grand Slam trophies and topped the world rankings, a drop down to a WTA 125 event for match sharpening might seem an intriguing move from the outside.
It wasn’t Naomi Osaka’s call, but that of her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
Earlier this month the Japanese star won the Saint-Malo title in France – a first trophy since becoming a mother – to provide a glistening launchpad for her clay court campaign.
“It was something that I didn't decide to do right away. Honestly, it was Patrick that kind of told me that he thinks, which he was right, it would be a better use of time to even practise playing the matches there,” the world No.49 said.
“I would say yes, there was a lot of pressure. I wouldn't really say it was to not lose, but it was more like I had in the back of my head, ‘I wonder what people would say about me if I lost here.’
“Granted, I should never be thinking about that when I'm playing a tennis match, but I got over it during the semis.
“I think the decision itself was kind of difficult, because in your mind, you do have a little bit of pride… I’m glad I went. It was a hard decision, and I'm happy with the outcome, though.”
The decision worked wonders as Osaka continued to build momentum at the WTA 1000 week in Rome with a fourth round showing.
Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams among others, has been guiding Osaka since last September. He wants her to evolve yet still maintain her attacking instincts.
©Cedric Lecocq / FFT“Patrick's way of teaching me on the clay court, I think we've gotten a lot better at defence, my movement has gotten better. But I talked to him after my last match against Stearns,” continued Osaka, who fell to the American 7-6(4) in the Rome last 16 deciding set.
“I think I could have been a lot more aggressive. So, we're going to try something different this tournament.”
Last year in Paris, Osaka was involved in one of the clashes of the 2024 season, holding match point over Iga Swiatek in the second round before the eventual champion escaped 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 in three hours of pulsating play on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Twelve months on and Osaka has drawn another blockbuster in the early stages, this time it’s a first duel with world No.10 Paula Badosa.
“I was supposed to play her in Rome but she was injured, so I didn't get to play her, but I was really looking forward to it because I know she's a good player,” Osaka said.
“It's kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven't played each other yet.
“For me, Slams are the best tournaments. There is only four of them, and I feel like that's where everyone plays the best, and that's where everyone kind of feels all the energy. So, it's going to be really exciting.
“Of course, I think I'm going to be nervous because it is the first round, and I'm always nervous in the first round.”
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
