Naomi Osaka faced a heartbreaking loss in the opening round of the French Open.
The Japanese tennis sensation had a promising clay season leading up to Roland Garros, having secured her first title on clay in Saint-Malo, France.
She also turned heads in Rome, making it to the last 16 of the Italian Open before narrowly losing to America’s Peyton Stearns.
Entering the Paris tournament with high hopes, Osaka ultimately fell short against Paula Badosa, losing 7-6, 1-6, 4-6 in her first match.
The four-time Grand Slam champion expressed her disappointment afterwards, wondering what her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, might think of her performance during the post-match press conference.
Two Australian tennis legends later shared their opinions on Osaka’s concerning remarks following her defeat. Former doubles number one Todd Woodbridge suggested that her words might provide a morale boost to her competitors.
Todd Woodbridge comments on Naomi Osaka’s remarks
In a discussion on the Australian Open YouTube channel, Woodbridge mentioned that Osaka’s recent statements could influence how her rivals perceive her. He emphasized the importance of maintaining emotional control in competitive sports.
Woodbridge noted that Osaka’s post-match vulnerability may have stemmed from her demanding journey, suggesting she should keep her feelings private to avoid giving her opponents an edge.
He expressed sympathy for her situation but encouraged Osaka to have private conversations about her feelings, as talking to someone could alleviate her feelings of disappointment.
Turning to her on-court performance, Woodbridge praised her play against Badosa, stating that with continued focus and belief in her abilities, she could return to the top ten.
Naomi Osaka’s Upcoming Return to the WTA Tour
Osaka plans to take a break as she prepares for the grass-court season, where she has been granted a Wild Card to participate in a new event, the Queen’s Club Championships, which will be added to the WTA calendar.
Historically, this tournament has been a part of the ATP calendar for nearly 150 years but has not featured a women’s event since the 1970s.
Osaka will be aiming to win the first women’s title at Queen’s in over 50 years and to capture her first grass-court championship. The 2025 Queen’s Club Championships are set to begin on June 9 in London, England.
