Naomi Osaka is a champion once again!
The former World No. 1 women’s tennis player won the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo tournament in France on Sunday, May 4, marking Osaka’s first title since she gave birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023.
The win on Sunday came on a clay court, on which Osaka, 27, has never won in the past, according to ESPN.
“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” Osaka wrote on social media afterwards, celebrating the win. “That’s one of my favorite things about life though, there’s always room to grow and evolve.”
Osaka spent about a year and a half away from tennis while on maternity leave, which began in September 2022 and ended in January 2024.
The Japanese-American tennis star shares her 22-month-old daughter with former boyfriend Cordae. The couple announced their split in January after six years together.
The win on Sunday was her first since taking home the Australian Open title in February 2021.
Osaka shared a post by the Olympics’ official Instagram page Sunday afternoon that celebrated her being a “mother & champion.”
“Awww,” the four-time Grand Slam tournament winner wrote in response to the post. The win helped Osaka climb seven spots to No. 48 overall in the WTA world rankings.
Related: All About Naomi Osaka and Cordae’s Daughter, Shai
naomiosaka/Instagram
Naomi Osaka and daughter Shai
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Last year, Osaka opened up about the impact her losing streak has had since returning to the court, and said at the time that her heart “dies” every time she loses.
“I’m working way harder than I’ve ever worked in my life, so it needs to turn into something. Well, it doesn’t ‘need’ to, but I think it will,” Osaka said last August after being eliminated in the US Open.
Related: Naomi Osaka Shares Rare Photos with Daughter Shai in Sweet New Year’s Post: ‘Cutest Girl in the World’
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Naomi Osaka
Her hard work turned into a seventh WTA singles championship on Sunday as Osaka added another title to her trophy case.
“Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey,” Osaka added on social media after the win. “I know it’s turbulent but it’s also really fun and I’m grateful.”
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