Overview:
Naomi Osaka gained her first WTA title since 2021 and her first ever on clay, marking a comeback after maternity depart and sparking delight amongst her followers of Haitian heritage.
By the Related Press – Extra reporting and modifying by The Haitian Occasions
SAINT-MALO, France (AP) — 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 at first 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 considered one of my favourite issues about life although, there’s all the time room to develop and evolve.”
“Due to everybody accompanying me on this journey, I do know it’s turbulent however it’s additionally actually enjoyable and I’m grateful.”
The win additionally marked one other proud second for Osaka’s Haitian supporters. Simply weeks earlier, she celebrated a victory on the Miami Open by draping a Haitian flag over her shoulders, days after tweeting about France’s historic debt to Haiti.
Born to a Haitian father and Japanese mom, Osaka spent a part of her early years coaching in South Florida and has lengthy embraced her Haitian roots.
In 2018, she visited Haiti, met with authorities officers, and was named a goodwill ambassador for Haitian sports activities. Her household helped fund a college in Jacmel, and she or he later launched the Osaka Basis, which helps tennis and education schemes for kids in Haiti.
The previous world No. 1 rose to No. 48 within the WTA rankings this week.
Osaka has two Australian Open and two U.S. Open crowns on arduous courts however has a subpar file on the French Open and pulled out of the clay-court tournament 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.