Naomi Osaka is among the in-form players heading into the French Open, with the Grand Slam now underway in Paris.
Osaka could be a huge threat at the French Open, a tournament in which the former WTA number one is unseeded.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka has only ever reached the third round at Roland Garros, which she has done on three occasions.
And she has been handed a tough start at the 2025 French Open, with 10th seed Paula Badosa her opening opponent.
The pair were meant to meet at the Italian Open earlier this month, but the Spaniard withdrew due to a back injury.
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka pinpoints improvement ahead of French Open first round
They are now all set for their first-ever WTA meeting, with Osaka having discussed her recent endeavours on clay before the match.
She told reporters ahead of the clash: “I don’t know if I’d be able to answer you specifically about movement on clay.
READ MORE: French Open 2025 women’s preview: Who will win, how far will Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek go, and could there be a big name early exit?
“I do think my movement overall has gotten better, so I can only answer you on that. But yeah, on clay, I think I’m enjoying sliding a lot.
“I’ve played quite a few… or I’ve played a lot of players that drop shotted me, so just sliding to those has been kind of fun, frustrating but fun.
“And yeah just overall, transitioning on using power to be fast on the surface, it’s been a really good learning experience.”
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka vs Paula Badosa 2025 stats ahead of French Open match
Osaka has been impressing on clay courts in recent times, having just reached the last 16 of the Italian Open.
That run, which was ended by Peyton Stearns, followed a successful venture at the L’Open 35 de Saint Malo.
READ MORE: Rennae Stubbs says what people do not realise about Naomi Osaka after she wins first WTA 125 title
Osaka took the surprising decision to play the WTA 125 tournament, but it proved to be a superb decision as she went on to lift the trophy.
That will have given her great confidence for her clay game and indeed her overall game, which she needs to be in top shape to make it past Badosa.
Naomi OsakaStatPaula Badosa49Current ranking1017Wins136Losses8$453,830Prize money$966,431Naomi Osaka vs Paula Badosa 2025 stats
Fatigue and fitness could, however, decide the winner, with both players having perhaps not been as busy as they would have liked in 2025.
Badosa has been plagued by a back injury in recent times, and like Osaka has recently been forced to withdraw from matches or entire tournaments.
AloJapan.com