SAINT-MALO, France — 4-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka claimed her first WTA title since triumphing on the 2021 Australian Open — and on her seemingly worst floor.
Osaka beat Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 Sunday to win L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo — a WTA 125 event — and safe her first ever trophy on clay.
It was additionally the Japanese participant’s first WTA title since she grew to become a mom in July 2023, returning to tennis firstly of the next 12 months.
“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy again on the floor that I assumed was my worst,” Osaka wrote on X. “That’s one among my favorite issues about life although, there’s all the time room to develop and evolve.
“Because of everybody accompanying me on this journey, I do know it’s turbulent however it’s additionally actually enjoyable and I’m grateful.”
The previous world No. 1 will rise to No. 48 within the WTA rankings on Monday.
Osaka has two Australian Open and two U.S. Open crowns on onerous courts however has a poor file on the French Open and pulled out of the clay-court event in 2021 earlier than the second spherical to take a psychological well being break.
The 27-year-old’s clay-court season had began with a loss within the first spherical of the Madrid Open final month.
The French Open begins Might 25.
