Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed optimism for her future after three months of her comeback to professional tennis. In a social media post, Osaka acknowledged her recent loss but expressed gratitude for the support and excitement for what lies ahead.
Since her return, Osaka has compiled a 7-6 record in six tournaments, reaching the third round at both Indian Wells and Miami. Her victory over Elina Svitolina in Miami was a significant milestone, with Osaka describing it as “definitely the best match I’ve played so far.”
Despite her progress, Osaka remains determined to improve her performance. “I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best match,” she said, “but I also want myself to play better and better every match.”
Osaka’s next challenge will be the clay and grass surfaces, where she has historically faced difficulties. She has accepted a wild card to the WTA 250 event in Rouen, France, which begins on April 15. This tournament will mark her first clay-court action since Roland Garros in 2022.
Osaka acknowledges the challenges of playing on clay but remains optimistic. “It’s different but fun, let’s see what happens,” she wrote.
Having started the season unranked after her maternity leave, Osaka is projected to return to the Top 200 in the latest WTA rankings. Her determination and positive outlook suggest that she is poised for a strong comeback in the coming months.
