Naomi Osaka has been handed a tough start as she chases French Open success, having been drawn to face Paula Badosa in round one.
Badosa is the 10th seed at the French Open, with the Spaniard having recovered from injury in time for the Grand Slam.
She fell at the quarter-final stage in Strasbourg earlier this week, with Badosa having withdrawn from the Italian Open due to a back issue.
Badosa was scheduled to play Osaka at the Italian Open before her withdrawal, with the former going on to reach the round of 16.
That run came after the four-time Grand Slam champion clinched her first WTA 125 title at the L’Open 35 de Saint Malo.
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka says what she thinks of French Open opponent Paula Badosa
The former world number one occupies 49th place in the WTA rankings going into the French Open, with Badosa in 10th.
Osaka has now previewed their first round clash at Roland Garros, saying: “I was supposed to play her in Rome but she was injured, so I didn’t get to play her, but I was really looking forward to it because I know she’s a good player.
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“It’s kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet. And I know that she’s supposed to be a good clay court player also.”
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka has French Open hope for Paula Badosa clash
As Osaka mentioned, the players are yet to meet on the WTA Tour, meaning neither will know what to expect when they’re on court.
Both will, however, be fully aware of their ability, with the pair having won 11 singles titles combined throughout their careers.
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Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
It remains to be seen who will come out on top in the highly-anticipated meeting, but Grand Slam history is firmly on the side of Osaka.
Very recent history favours Badosa after she superbly reached the 2025 Australian Open semi-finals, representing her best Grand Slam result.
But Osaka has won that tournament twice, having also won the US Open twice, with all four wins coming between 2018 and 2021.
Discussing her latest attempt at Grand Slam glory, she continued: “For me, Slams are the best tournaments.
ResultYearTournamentSurfaceOpponentScoreWin2018US OpenHardSerena Williams6–2, 6–4Win2019Australian OpenHardPetra Kvitova7–6(7–2), 5–7, 6–4Win2020US OpenHardVictoria Azarenka1–6, 6–3, 6–3Win2021Australian OpenHardJennifer Brady6–4, 6–3Naomi Osaka Grand Slam finals
“There is only four of them, and I feel like that’s where everyone plays the best, and that’s where everyone kind of feels all the energy. So, it’s going to be really exciting.
“Of course, I think I’m going to be nervous because it is the first round, and I’m always nervous in the first round. But hopefully they’ll put us on a really good court.”
AloJapan.com