Paris remains a difficult place for Naomi Osaka: The four-time Grand Slam winner from Japan failed in the first round of the French Open.
Osaka, who caused a stir last year with their withdrawal after the first round, lost 7-5, 6-4 to the American Amanda Anisimova on Monday. Meanwhile, Poland’s Iga Swiatek continued her impressive streak.
The world number one entered the second round with her 29th win in a row. Swiatek had no trouble with Ukraine qualifier Lesia Zurenko in a 6-2, 6-0 win in just 54 minutes.
Osaka, on the other hand, suffered the same fate as in Melbourne. She also lost to Anisimova at the Australian Open in January – back then in the third round. Now the world number 38 leaves. Paris disappointed again, never getting past the third round in the French capital.
Naomi Osaka ‘concerned’ before returning to French Open
Before the start of the tournament, the former world number one reported that she was still moved by the events of the previous year. “I don’t want to lie. I was worried before my return,” Osaka said.
She had not wanted to take part in the obligatory press conferences in 2021 and after public discussions she finally did not compete in her second round match.
Osaka publicly addressed her mental issues on this train and took a break from playing until the Tokyo Olympics.