“I Don’t Have Too Much Ego,” Naomi Osaka Reflects on WTA Challenger Triumph After Rome Opener

Naomi Osaka ended her four-year title drought by winning her first clay-court title at the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo.

“I Don’t Have Too Much Ego,” Naomi Osaka Reflects on WTA Challenger Triumph After Rome Opener

Naomi Osaka (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Last week, Naomi Osaka did something that she had never done in 10 years in her career. She dropped down to the WTA Challenger to compete at the 125-level tournament in Saint-Malo in France. It paid off, and she won her first clay-court title. Osaka admitted that she played at the event because she doesn’t have much ego.

The Japanese star’s 2025 season was disrupted by an abdominal strain in January. She reached the final of the Auckland Classics but was unable to consistently produce her best performance. It turned worse in her first clay match this season, where she was demolished by Lucia Bronzetti at the Madrid Open.

That prompted the former World No.1 to compete at Saint-Malo, where she won five consecutive matches to earn her first title in four years. Osaka continued her run at the Italian Open, where she hit 40 winners to beat Italy’s Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 in just an hour and 21 minutes.

During her post-match press conference, she revealed that she competed at the Saint-Malo event because she doesn’t have pride. The World No.48 added that she returned to the tour after maternity break to enjoy the sport.

I didn’t really have too much of an ego playing that tournament. Obviously, I would have been really disappointed to lose in the first round. I guess I would think that people would say that if I didn’t win the trophy … There are a lot of situations that could have occurred. For me, I just wanted to focus on the tennis. I wanted to rack up experience on clay. I’ve always told people that I’m OK, like, playing on Court 16 if I have to, anyway. The reason I came back wasn’t to play on center courts all the time, it’s because I really enjoy the game.

Naomi Osaka said via Rome Press

Osaka has now won six matches on clay. Also, in the match, it was the first time she hit 40 winners in a WTA 1000-level tournament since the 2022 Miami Open and her first on a clay-court in her career.

Naomi Osaka reveals the hard decision she took after Madrid Open exit

Naomi Osaka admitted she was stressed out after losing to Lucia Bronzetti in the first round of the Madrid Open. The former World No.1 didn’t perform to her expectations and had to exit the tournament. However, she chose to play at the Saint-Malo event rather than go back home to be with her daughter, Shai.

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (via X)

I was thinking, I wonder if the time would have been spent better after Madrid going to see her really quickly as opposed to playing the tournament. Luckily, I was able to snap out of that.

Naomi Osaka said

Osaka is slowly climbing back up the rankings after a slow start to the season. She is in the Top 50 in the WTA rankings. She will be hoping to continue her upward stride in the women’s circuit by winning a couple of matches at the Italian Open.

Naomi Osaka to face Paula Badosa in the second round of the Italian Open

Naomi Osaka is into the second round of the Italian Open after beating Sara Errani in the opening match. She’s set to face Paula Badosa next as she looks to continue her winning streak. It will be the first encounter between the two in the WTA. However, it will be Badosa’s first match since the Indian Wells in March.

Naomi Osaka 1
Naomi Osaka (via WTA)

Badosa has been away from the tour since Indian Wells. She withdrew from the competition after suffering a recurring back injury that began troubling her at the Meridian Open. She skipped the Miami Open and Madrid Open, but she’s finally back on tour in Rome. It will be a very physical battle for the Spaniard, considering the level that Osaka is currently playing.

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