Article by Luminița Paul – published Wednesday, 07 May 2025, 20:55 / Updated Wednesday, 07 May 2025 21:14
Japanese player Naomi Osaka (27 years old, 48th place) exceeded the inaugural round in the WTA 1000 tournament with a clear victory, 6-2, 6-3 with Sara Errani (37 years old, 177th place). She then spoke about the title won last week and about the intentions of this season.
Naomi Osaka has recently increased her potential on the slag, after lifting the first trophy on this surface last Sunday, in the WTA 125 category tournament at Saint Malo.
The Japanese, on the 48th place in the world, started in the WTA 1000 tournament with a comfortable victory in front of Sara Errani, 6-2, 6-3. She is about to meet Paula Badosa in the second round, in a match that is very interesting, if the Spanish will be 100% physical.
Osaka is in the sixth presence in the tournament in the capital of Italy. Last year he advanced to “optimals”, and the best result obtained in 2019, when he reached the quarterfinals.
In the press conference after the inaugural round of the current edition, Naomi reviewed his recent success from Saint Malo and detailed his intentions since returning to the circuit after becoming a mother.
Naomi Osaka: “I do not have an ego so big that I do not want to play such tournaments”
Straight Sets Success 🫡@naomiosaka Will do Badosa in the Second Round!#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/rnjpg531uc
– WTA (@wta) May 7, 2025
“Obviously, I would have been very disappointed to lose in the first round. I think people would have said this if I had not won the trophy,” she said about the lower category tournament that she approached after leaving the race in Madrid.
“There are a lot of things that could have happened. I just wanted to focus on tennis, I wanted to get an experience on the slag. I don't have an ego so big that I don't want to play such tournaments. I always said I don't mind playing on land 16 if I need to. The reason I returned was not to play all the time on central lands, but because I really like tennis. I just want to see what I'm capable of doing“She said in front of the journalists.
Saint Malo triumph, first title after 4 years
“Going there was something I didn't expect, because I told everyone that I would only play in Madrid and Rome. Obviously, I lost in the first round in Madrid and Patrick proposed to me to go there. I knew I needed matches anyway, so it happened“Osaka said.
She added that she was very happy for the decision taken, although she asked if it was not better for Madrid to go and see her daughter, instead of playing at Saint Malo. “It's funny, sometimes you don't think about tennis when you play,” she was surprised.
Patrick Mouratoglou next to Naomi Osaka PHOTO IMAGO IMAGES
A different season on the slag for Naomi Osaka
“This season on the slag is different because they come with a lot more victories. I feel much more comfortable on the slag, but this is due to my experience last year. I was very lucky to play a few very good matches in 2024. I take this into account when I play. It is an accumulation of all these things”, Naomi elaborated on the subject of 2025 on the red surface.
7 WTA titlesand 5 finals played has Naomi Osaka, all on the slag, plus 1 WTA 125 title on the slag and a final on the hard
“The only moments when I feel disappointed when I lose when I know I didn't give everything or when I mentally give up. But I promised myself that I would give 100% regardless of the situation, because otherwise there is no point in playing matches or training, it would be a waste of time for everyone. Are people with me and I care about their time“She concluded.
