Naomi Osaka didn’t hold back after her relatively early exit at Indian Wells almost two weeks ago, calling it the “worst match of her life” and apologizing to fans for having to watch. It was a tough pill to swallow for the Japanese ace, especially after her bold declaration last year when she returned from maternity leave with a hunger for “Grand Slam” glory. But hey, fortunes may finally be shifting. After cinching a tough-fought battle against Yuliia Starodubtseva in R128 of the Miami Open, Osaka thanked her fans for their unwavering support, soaking in the love on the court. Could this be the turning point for the former World Number 1?

In a dramatic showdown at the Miami Open Opening round, the 4-time GS winner Osaka staged a thrilling comeback against the qualifier Starodubtseva. The 108th seed, came out firing, racing to a stunning 5-0 lead before sealing the first set 6-3. She continued her fearless play in the second set as well, fending off three consecutive break points and holding a 4-2 advantage. However, Osaka found her rhythm just in time, surging back with four straight games to level the match and push it into a deciding set.

With momentum on her side, the Japanese took control in the third set, breaking Starodubtseva’s serve in the 4th game and showing her trademark composure under pressure. Serving for the match at 5-3, Naomi faced a tense moment, as she had to save a break point, but she eventually clinched the match by closing the set 6-3. The grueling two-and-a-half-hour battle highlighted the former top seed’s resilience, proving she still possesses the grit of a Grand Slam champion. Right after the victory, Osaka shared her gratitude towards the fans.

The 27-year-old took to IG to share a heartfelt moment with her fans. A concise video in her Instagram story showed her departing the grandstand and soaking in the atmosphere of the crowd. Alongside the short video clip, she left a simple yet emotional message: “Thanks for the vibes today guys 😭.” 

Osaka’s return to the Miami Open, marking her 8th appearance at the tournament, might shape up to be a crucial chapter in her comeback story. Having reached the SF in 2022, she stepped back onto the court after a self-imposed hiatus to recover from injuries, determined to reclaim her place among the sport’s elite. Her 1st round victory, following a disappointing early exit at the BNP Paribas Open, signals a resurgence in form and reignites optimism for the season ahead. 

With a second-round clash against 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova on the horizon, Osaka now has the perfect opportunity to build on the momentum. Following the match, the former top seed shed light on her performance in R128.

“Hard to come back after pregnancy,” Naomi Osaka opens up after her Miami Open victory

Osaka’s return to the WTA Tour in 2024 has been anything but easy. After giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023, Naomi has faced a difficult road back, battling injuries, nerves, and the inevitable rust that comes with an extended absence. Now the 61st seed, she has struggled to find consistency over the past 14 months. Despite glimpses of promise, including a final appearance at the ASB Classic earlier this year, an abdominal injury forced her to retire. Then during the Australian Open, the Japanese was once again forced to withdraw because of the same lingering issue.

Given these hurdles, Naomi’s victory at the Miami Open carries immense significance. “I can’t speak for all the mothers, but for me in particular it was really hard to come back after pregnancy. I’m just really glad to be here, glad to be healthy. I felt really, really good in Australia. And then I got injured and couldn’t play for three weeks or a month. That gap really took me back a lot. Definitely was a little bit of a letdown to be injured right at the start of the season, especially when I was playing pretty well. I think my nerves have a lot to do with that. I’m just taking it one day at a time, I guess we’ll see,” she said in the post-match interview.

With 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova, currently sitting at No. 18 in the live WTA rankings, awaiting her in the 2nd round, can Osaka improve her 12-12 record against top 50 opponents since returning from maternity leave? Share your thoughts below!