Naomi Osaka marked her return to Grand Slam tennis following maternity leave with a first-round loss, falling 6-4, 7-6 (2) to Caroline Garcia on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open. Facing the experienced French 16th seed, Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, returned to tournament tennis just two weeks ago after a 15-month hiatus.
While her power remained evident, the 26-year-old needed time to rediscover her precision in crucial moments. Garcia secured a break in the fifth game and claimed the first set. Despite Osaka’s efforts, Garcia’s serving prowess in the second set proved insurmountable. The match, decided in a tiebreaker, ended with Garcia winning on her first match point.
Osaka, expressing frustration at the loss, acknowledged her delusional desire to win tournaments. Garcia praised Osaka’s return after a 15-month absence, emphasizing the need to be cautious. This marked Osaka’s earliest exit in eight Australian Open visits and her third consecutive first-round Grand Slam loss. The former world No. 1, undeterred, emphasized her commitment to continuous training and playing more matches, aiming to fulfill her dreams.