Naomi Osaka’s Journey at the French Open
When it comes to Naomi Osaka’s performance in Grand Slam tournaments, there is a noticeable difference between her results on hard courts and natural surfaces. Osaka has secured four Grand Slam titles, with two victories at the Australian Open and two at the US Open. She has also reached the semifinals of the US Open and had fourth-round exits in both the Australian and US Opens. However, when it comes to the French Open, which is played on clay, Osaka had never advanced beyond the third round before 2026.
At the French Open specifically, Osaka’s third-round exits occurred in 2016, 2018, and 2019. Despite being seeded 16th, the expectations for her to perform well were not high. However, her results do not tell the entire story. In 2024, she showed significant progress and made a step forward toward success on clay.
The Signature Win That Never Was
In 2024, Osaka faced Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open. Swiatek, who was a three-time champion at the time, went on to win her fourth Roland Garros title just weeks later. This match marked Osaka’s return to the tournament after a break due to pregnancy, and her history at the event, along with her rustiness and the draw, made the odds heavily against her.
The result was straightforward, but the path to that outcome was anything but. Swiatek won the first set in a tiebreak, but Osaka responded with a stunning 6-1 second set, sending the match into a deciding third set. In that set, Osaka built momentum and took an early lead, even having the chance to serve out the match at 5-3. Swiatek was the top seed and defending champion, so this would have been the biggest upset of the tournament.
The tension was palpable. With a 30-15 advantage, Osaka had the opportunity to hit a forehand winner into the open court, but instead, she missed the shot into the net. She then had to save a break point at 30-40. With the advantage, Osaka had a match point, but Swiatek managed to save it and won four consecutive games to take the match. Osaka exited the tournament in the second round, another early exit at the French Open. However, what this result doesn’t show is just how close she was to achieving a breakthrough.
Finding Her Stride
Two years later, Osaka once again faced the top seed at the French Open, but this time the loss wasn’t as close. She lost in straight sets, but it came in the fourth round after three strong performances. In the first two rounds, the 16th-seeded Osaka defeated Laura Siegemund and Donna Vekic in straight sets. These were two dangerous unseeded players that Osaka may not have been able to beat in previous years.
The third round was more challenging as Osaka faced 17th seed Iva Jovic, an up-and-coming player who can be competitive in any matchup. The two traded tiebreak sets, and in the third, Osaka clinched victory in the final moments. She overcame a difficult match against a high-quality opponent and advanced to her first-ever French Open fourth round.
While this wasn’t the dramatic loss against Iga Swiatek or the later rounds that Osaka is used to at hardcourt Slams, it was a milestone that took 10 years of French Open appearances to achieve. She had a chance to extend her run against No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, but Osaka struggled to find her footing when it mattered most. Still, she kept the match competitive, with the 7-5 6-3 scoreline not reflecting just how much she pushed Sabalenka.
This match was significant for more than just Osaka and Sabalenka—it was only the fifth time a women’s match was granted the French Open night session slot, and the first since 2023. High quality was expected, and as the underdog, Osaka was under the most pressure. Throughout the match, her level remained high.
Progress on Clay
Naomi Osaka still hasn’t reached the heights of her hard court Grand Slam runs on clay or grass, but at this year’s French Open, she continued to build on the potential that has always been in her game. Her performance demonstrated growth and a commitment to improving on all surfaces. While she may not yet be a dominant force on clay, her journey at the French Open shows that she is steadily working towards that goal.
