Japan’s former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka was beaten in the first round of the French Open women’s singles Monday going down 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 to 10th seed Paula Badosa of Spain.
Current world No. 49 Osaka edged Badosa in a first set filled with hard groundstrokes but quickly lost the second and struggled to deal with deep shots in the third from the former world No. 2, who won in 2 hours, 21 minutes at Roland Garros.
“I think she was probably more aggressive,” said a visibly disappointed Osaka at her press conference. “I wasn’t really expecting to lose in the first round.”
Naomi Osaka of Japan plays against Paula Badosa of Spain in the women’s singles first round at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 26, 2025. (Kyodo)
Badosa had 27 winners and the same number of unforced errors, while Osaka landed 36 winners but was made to pay for her 54 unforced errors in their first career meeting.
“I learn little things from each match,” said the 27-year-old, who reached the third round at the Australian Open in January in her best Grand Slam performance since giving birth to her daughter in July 2023.
Badosa rued having to face such a tough opponent so early in the tournament.
Naomi Osaka of Japan shakes hands with Paula Badosa (R) of Spain at the net after losing in the women’s singles first round at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 26, 2025. (Kyodo)
“First set was very high level — she won,” the 27-year-old said. “The third set was a very, very high level. It went my side. I have to be honest, it’s not fair to have a first round like this.”
In the men’s singles first round, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka withdrew with lower back pain while trailing Alexei Popyrin of Australia 7-5, 6-4.
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