Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is set to compete in a WTA 125 tournament for the first time in ten years. She has accepted a wild card entry into next week`s L`Open 35 de Saint-Malo.
The tournament organizers announced Osaka`s late addition via social media, indicating the former World No. 1 is prepared to “make some noise” during her debut at the event.
Following an extensive period of clay court training in France with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, during which she mentioned feeling “stronger” and ready for tough matches, Osaka recently exited in the first round of the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open after a three-set loss. This was her first competitive match in a month, following her fourth-round defeat at the Miami Open.
According to WTA regulations, players ranked No. 11 or lower are eligible to participate in a WTA 125 event that takes place during the second week of a Grand Slam or a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament, provided they have already been eliminated from the larger competition.
Osaka`s only prior appearance at a WTA 125 tournament was in November 2015 in Hua Hin, Thailand. Then an 18-year-old ranked No. 203, she reached the final. Her decision to return to this level is motivated by the desire to gain more consistent match practice on a surface she is still working to master.
This season, Osaka holds a 9-5 match record overall, but is 3-3 since January. This recent slump includes retirements from the ASB Classic final and the Australian Open fourth round due to an abdominal injury.
Main draw play at Saint-Malo is scheduled to begin on Monday. Ranked No. 55 globally, Osaka is expected to be the second seed in the tournament, behind World No. 53 Alycia Parks. The field also includes Varvara Gracheva, Americans Caroline Dolehide and Katie Volynets, and former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria.
Since the tournament was upgraded to WTA 125 status in 2021, it has featured champions such as Beatriz Haddad Maia and Sloane Stephens. Jasmine Paolini was the finalist in the inaugural edition.
