Photo: AFP / Timothy A Clary
Former women’s world number one tennis player Naomi Osaka will return to play the ASB Classic in Auckland this summer.
The Japanese player reached the final of the 2025 tournament, but was forced to retire.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam Champion, has risen to No 14 in the world on the back of her best form since her return to the sport last year following the birth of her daughter.
In January, Osaka won the first set of the ASB Classic final, but injury handed the title to Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
The two-time US Open and Australian Open champion is buoyed by her recent successes and keen to start her 2026 season on a positive note.
“Having a strong start in Auckland would be important in building the year and heading into the Australian Open,” said Osaka.
“Last year I did pretty well in Auckland and although I had to retire in the final, it definitely gave me a lot of confidence going into Melbourne.
“The biggest lessons I will carry into next year are coming off a really strong US swing and doing well in the US Open, but I think the whole year has been full of really great lessons.”
This year 28 year old Osaka won a WTA 125 tournament, was runner up in a WTA 1000 tournament and beat world number three Coco Gauff on her way to a US Open semi-final appearance.
The ASB Classic starts on January 5.
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