French Open 2024: Entering With No Expectations, Naomi Osaka Remains Firm on Her Ability to Pull Off a Miracle

Naomi Osaka is back on the tour this season, however, she has yet to reach her previous heights on the court. After her much-awaited comeback, the Japanese tennis star has had a number of lackluster campaigns, including her initial round defeats during the clay swing. Now, even though she will be entering the French Open with no such great expectations, the former number-one player recently opened up about the one thing that she’s most proud of at the moment.

In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, the 4-time singles Grand Slam champion was asked to describe her current game on the court using one word. She answered by saying, “Assertive.” Osaka was then questioned about the aspect of her game that she feels most proud of right now. “I would say I’m most proud of my tenacity,” she said. Meanwhile, the Japanese player also revealed that she is just “trusting the process”, amid all the challenges and skepticism surrounding her form.

“I knew that coming back from pregnancy that it would be a long and challenging road, but I’m trusting the process, staying focused, and taking it one day at a time,” Osaka further added. Boasting four Grand Slam wins (two each at the Australian Open and US Open), Naomi Osaka took a maternity leave in 2023. Returning in January, she faced criticism after a first-round Australian Open exit. Now at the French Open, Osaka seeks top form.

With a challenging draw, she’ll need to play her best to prove her championship caliber. Reaching only one quarter-final this year, fans are eager to see her click into gear and contend for major titles again. However, it won’t be an easy task for her, as perhaps the “nightmare” on clay now awaits Osaka in Paris.

Naomi Osaka could face the ‘Queen of the Clay’ at the French Open

The former number 1 player has been given the task of locking horns with the unseeded Italian Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round of the Grand Slam event in Paris. If she manages to prevail in her opener in Paris, Osaka can then face the 3-time French Open champion, Iga Świątek, in the second-round match. The number-one-seeded Polish player will be up against her unseeded French opponent, Leolia Jeanjean.

Both the WTA superstars are in the same quarter of the main draw fixtures at the French Open. If both Osaka and Świątek prevail in their respective openers, then the stage will be set up for a high-profile second-round encounter between two Grand Slam champions. Osaka and Świątek have already faced each other twice on the tour, with their H2H record currently locked at 1-1. Do you think that the tennis community will get to witness a blockbuster second-round clash between Osaka and Świątek at the French Open? Let us know in the comments section.