Naomi Osaka Claims ⁢Saint-Malo Title, first Since 2021 australian Open

⁣ ⁣ Updated June 01, 2025

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, captured the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France on Sunday, securing her ⁣first title since the 2021 Australian Open. This victory also marks her first⁣ title since becoming a mother in July 2023.

Osaka, formerly ranked​ No. 1 in the world, defeated Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 to win the trophy. Notably, this is her ⁣first title on a clay‍ surface at any level of competition. The WTA 125 ⁣tournament win represents a significant step in Osaka’s return to form.

“Kinda ⁤ironic to win ⁣my first trophy back on the surface that I⁣ thought was my worst,” Osaka saeid on social media, reflecting on her victory. She added,⁢ “That’s‍ one of‌ my favorite things about life though, there’s⁣ always room to‍ grow and evolve.thanks‍ to everyone accompanying me on this‍ journey, I know it’s turbulent⁣ but​ it’s also really fun and I’m grateful.”

While the ‍L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo is designated as a Challenger event and not an official WTA ⁣Tour title, it provided ‌Osaka with a valuable chance​ to regain momentum after an early exit at the madrid Open.Recent injuries have limited her playing time, making match experience crucial for her ‍comeback.

Patrick Mouratoglou, Osaka’s coach, emphasized the ⁢importance⁢ of match play for her recovery. “She really needs to play matches,” Mouratoglou said. “For the last six, eight months she has ‍been injured a lot,⁢ so unluckily she hasn’t been able to play enough.” He added that intensive clay practice prepared her for ‌competition.

Osaka’s ⁤world ranking is projected to climb to No. 48 when the⁢ WTA Rankings are updated, a positive sign as she continues her journey back to the top of the sport. This WTA title in Saint-Malo marks a significant milestone in Naomi​ Osaka’s journey, showcasing her resilience and determination.

What’s next

With the Saint-Malo title⁣ under her belt, Naomi⁤ Osaka is expected to continue competing in WTA events, aiming to build on this success‍ and further improve her world‌ ranking as she⁣ prepares for upcoming tournaments.