Naomi Osaka has expressed a renewed sense of confidence on clay courts after reaching the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the second year in a row. Reflecting on her recent successes, the four-time Grand Slam champion stated, “Winning my first clay title and winning some tough matches helps instill some confidence ahead of Roland Garros.”
Osaka showcased her skills with two hard-fought victories against Viktorija Golubic and Marie Bouzkova before heading to the French Open, where she previously delivered one of the standout performances of the 2024 season against then-No. 1 Iga Swiatek. In that second-round match, Osaka held a match point before Swiatek made a dramatic comeback, ultimately winning the match which contributed to her third consecutive title on the clay surface.
The 27-year-old is proud of the progress she has made, noting, “I won the most consecutive matches on clay in my entire career, so that’s definitely something to be proud of.” Her recent performances mark significant steps in her journey, as she aims to replicate that success at Roland Garros.
Historically, Osaka has made it to the third round three times at the French Open but has struggled to win back-to-back matches in Paris since her 2019 campaign when she was ranked world No. 1. This year, even as an unseeded player, she is anticipated to be a formidable dark horse contender, with hopes of advancing deeper into the tournament for the first time.
Comments regarding Osaka’s growing comfort on clay and her recent accomplishments suggest a promising future at Roland Garros. As she heads into the tournament, many fans will be looking to see if she can build on her momentum and continue to surprise the competition.