Naomi Osaka fought hard to claim her first Grand Slam victory since returning from maternity leave, overcoming a late surge from Lucia Bronzetti to win 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in a challenging first-round match at the French Open. The former world No. 1, who led 4-0 in the third set, showcased moments of genuine quality and battled through nerves to secure the hard-fought win.
The Japanese tennis star has been making a comeback after a 15-month maternity break and had earlier faced a disappointing first-round exit at the Australian Open earlier this year. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, had struggled with nerves during the match against Bronzetti, admitting in an on-court interview that she was “really nervous” and had become “pretty tight” as the Italian rattled off five straight games to lead 5-4 in the third set.
Despite moments of nervous play, Osaka impressed with periods of dominant tennis, displaying her powerful baseline game and serving well. The match saw her cruise through the first set with a 6-1 win, establishing a 4-0 lead in the final set, before nerves began to impact her play, leading to a surge from Bronzetti.
The victory marks Osaka’s first win at the French Open in three years, a significant milestone in her comeback journey. Her rollercoaster performance against Bronzetti revealed her ability to regain composure and deliver under pressure, showcasing her mental resilience and determination.
As Osaka progresses through the tournament, her hard-fought win in the first round serves as a testament to her competitive spirit and determination to succeed at the highest level of the sport. Her comeback from maternity leave has already presented moments of high-quality tennis and resilience, signaling a promising journey as she aims to make her mark in the competitive landscape of women’s tennis.
