Naomi Osaka, the 27-year-old Japanese tennis icon and four-time Grand Slam champion, added a new milestone to her illustrious career on May 4, 2025, by clinching her first clay-court title at the WTA 125 L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo. Defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in a commanding final, Osaka secured her eighth career singles title and her first trophy since the 2021 Australian Open. The victory, a significant step in her comeback after motherhood, propelled her back into the WTA top 50 at No. 48. However, the celebration was marred by a fiery social media controversy sparked by a sarcastic post Osaka shared hours before the final, drawing sharp criticism from fans and igniting a debate about her online presence.
Osaka’s journey to Saint-Malo was a bold move to regain her footing on clay, a surface she has historically found challenging. After a disheartening first-round loss to Lucia Bronzetti at the Madrid Open (6-4, 2-6, 6-4), she accepted a wildcard into the WTA 125 event, her first at this level in a decade. “I wouldn’t wish what goes on in my brain to my worst enemy,” she wrote on Threads after Madrid, revealing the mental strain of her struggles. Yet, her decision to compete in Saint-Malo paid dividends. She powered through a tough draw, defeating Petra Marcinko, Diane Parry, Elsa Jacquemot, and Leolia Jeanjean, with her comeback against Parry (2-6, 6-3, 6-4) showcasing her resilience. In the final, Osaka dominated the first set against Juvan and, despite a tense second set where Juvan led 4-2, sealed the match with a 7-5 finish. “Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” she posted afterward, celebrating her growth. “That’s one of my favorite things about life though, there’s always room to grow and evolve.”
The triumph was a beacon of hope for Osaka, who has navigated injuries, motherhood, and a demanding comeback since giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, praised her hunger, saying, “She really needs to play matches.” Yet, the spotlight shifted to a controversial X post Osaka shared the night before the final: “This is for everyone that constantly has shit to say lol,” accompanied by a mock job application form for her critics. The sarcastic jab backfired, drawing a barrage of fan backlash. “Maybe you should try getting serious about your tennis again,” one user fumed. “You’re not being fair!” Another criticized her timing, writing, “Posting this petty nonsense at 1AM before a final… come on.” A third took aim at her privilege: “Mind you, you’ve never filled out one of these in your life……..watch your multimillionaire tone.” The uproar underscored the intense scrutiny Osaka faces as a global star, amplifying questions about how public figures navigate social media.
Osaka’s history with social media is complex. A vocal advocate for mental health, she famously withdrew from the 2021 French Open after refusing press conferences, citing anxiety and depression. “I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes’ mental health,” she said then, a stance that resonates with her recent posts. Her Saint-Malo post, however, was seen by some as tone-deaf, especially given her status as the world’s highest-earning female athlete. Fans argued that her focus should be on tennis, not online spats, particularly before a crucial match. “For your own mental health, delete all your social media accounts,” one user advised, echoing sentiments from her 2021 controversy.
Despite the backlash, Osaka’s on-court performance in Saint-Malo was undeniable. Her charm off the court also won over locals, with a ball boy describing her as “solaire, gentille” and noting her polite demeanor. As she prepares for the Italian Open, a WTA 1000 event starting May 7, Osaka remains focused on her goals, including a career Grand Slam. “Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know it’s turbulent but it’s also really fun,” she wrote, undeterred by the noise. The Saint-Malo title, coupled with the social media storm, paints a vivid picture of Osaka’s journey—a blend of triumph, vulnerability, and the unrelenting pressure of stardom.
Leave a Reply