Naomi Osaka has officially overtaken Emma Raducanu in the WTA rankings following her impressive victory at the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France. This win marks Osaka’s first title since the 2021 Australian Open and her first ever on clay.
Osaka’s Comeback Story
After taking a maternity break and giving birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023, Osaka returned to the WTA tour at the beginning of the 2024 season with renewed motivation. She had previously taken time off to focus on her mental health. Although her return saw some struggles and injuries, Osaka’s determination to regain her top form never wavered.
The Road to Saint-Malo
Osaka’s clay season started with a disappointing first-round exit at the Madrid Open. Seeking to find her rhythm, she entered the WTA 125K event in Saint-Malo, a move that proved to be a turning point.
Triumph in France
Osaka showcased her dominance throughout the Saint-Malo tournament, defeating Kaja Juvan of Slovenia in the final with a score of 6-1, 7-5. En route to the title, the No. 2 seed defeated a trio of French opponents—Leolia Jeanjean, Elsa Jacquemot and Diane Parry and only dropped one set. This victory marked her first title on clay and her first since the 2021 Australian Open. “Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” Osaka shared on X. “That’s one of my favorite things about life though, there’s always room to grow and evolve. Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know it’s turbulent but it’s also really fun and I’m grateful”.
Ranking Implications
As a result of her win in Saint-Malo, Osaka is projected to rise to No. 48 in the WTA rankings. This moves her ahead of Emma Raducanu, who remains at No. 49. Osaka earned an extra 100 points for her performance on the French clay.
Raducanu’s Recent Performance
Emma Raducanu’s ranking remains unchanged at No. 49 after reaching the second round in Madrid. She gained 25 points for her efforts but it wasn’t enough to climb up the rankings. Raducanu won her first clay-court victory in more than a year against Suzan Lamens in the first round, but lost in three sets to Marta Kostyuk.
Other Notable Ranking Changes
- Aryna Sabalenka: Extended her lead at the top of the WTA singles world rankings after her third Madrid Open triumph. She is only the third woman to surpass the 11,000 point mark, after Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka has 11,118 points while Swiatek has 6,773.
- Elina Svitolina: Returned to the world’s top 15 after reaching the semi-final at the Madrid Open.
Osaka’s Coach Reacts
Naomi Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, shared a congratulatory message after her win at the WTA 125K in Saint-Malo. “I am so proud of you!,” the French coach wrote.
What’s Next for Osaka?
Naomi Osaka is scheduled to compete at the Italian Open in Rome, which begins on May 6, 2025. She has been included in the entry list and will be making her sixth appearance at the event. Osaka reached the quarterfinals of the Italian Open in 2019, her best result in Rome.
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