On May 26, 2025, the French Open’s Court Philippe-Chatrier was the stage for a gripping first-round showdown between Spain’s Paula Badosa and Japan’s Naomi Osaka, two players on remarkable comeback trails. Badosa, the world No. 10, emerged victorious in a 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 thriller, halting Osaka’s hopes in a match that lasted two hours and 21 minutes. Despite the defeat, Badosa’s post-match comments were filled with empathy and admiration for her opponent, acknowledging the tough draw. “I have to be honest, it’s not fair to have a first round like this,” Badosa said in her press conference. “For her, in this case, that she lost… she’s playing very good tennis. Very, very soon, she’s going to be where she wants to be.” The Spaniard’s gracious words, coupled with her inspired performance, underscored the emotional depth of a contest that saw both players push their limits on the Parisian clay, with Badosa drawing strength from Rafael Nadal’s legacy to secure the win.
The match began with Osaka, ranked No. 49, showcasing her signature power. Dressed in a striking pink outfit adorned with cherry blossom-themed accessories, she saved a set point at 6-5 and dominated the first-set tiebreak, dropping just one point to claim it 7-6(1). However, blisters on her hands, caused by “the friction of clay,” as she later explained, prompted a medical timeout after the first set. In a quirky moment that amused fans, Osaka trimmed her sakura-themed nails courtside, a tactic to alleviate discomfort. “Since Rome, I have had blisters on my hands. I think it’s from the friction of clay, because I don’t have blisters on any other surface,” she said. Badosa seized the moment, racing to a 6-1 second set by winning the first five games, her aggressive baseline game and defensive tenacity overwhelming Osaka’s faltering grip.
The third set was a battle of wills. Osaka surged to a 2-0 lead, but Badosa, inspired by a bronze plaque of Nadal’s footprint near the court, fought back. “I have to say that when I was 7-6 down, the first thing I did was to look over there,” Badosa said, referencing Nadal’s indelible mark. “I’m like, ‘Come on Paula, you have to fight like he was.’ Thanks Rafa. We really miss you.” She broke Osaka in the seventh game and held serve in a tense 14-point game at 4-3, clinching the set 6-4 with a forehand winner. The match statistics told the story: Osaka’s 36 winners were marred by 54 unforced errors, while Badosa balanced 27 winners with 27 errors, her consistency proving decisive.
Badosa’s victory was a testament to her resurgence after a career-threatening back injury in 2023. Her 2024 season, capped by the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award, included a Wimbledon fourth-round run and a US Open quarterfinal. Her 2025 Australian Open semifinal, where she defeated Coco Gauff, marked her as a Grand Slam contender, though recent back issues limited her clay preparation to just two matches in Strasbourg. “Honestly it’s not fair to play her first round, but I’m really happy with the level, especially coming from an injury,” Badosa said, reflecting on her physical and mental fortitude. She now faces Elena-Gabriela Ruse or McCartney Kessler in the second round, with a potential deep run in sight.
Osaka, meanwhile, left the court emotional, her red eyes betraying the weight of the loss. “As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better. I hate disappointing people,” she said, briefly leaving her press conference to compose herself. Working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, formerly Serena Williams’ mentor, Osaka has shown flashes of her former world No. 1 form, including a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo. Yet, clay remains her nemesis, with no French Open run beyond the third round. Her 54 unforced errors and five double faults underscored the challenge of adapting her hard-court power to the slower surface. Despite the setback, Badosa’s encouraging words offered hope: Osaka’s recent progress suggests she’s on the cusp of a breakthrough, making her French Open exit a painful but temporary setback in her inspiring comeback.
# Badosa’s French Open Triumph Over Osaka Sparks Heartfelt Support
On May 26, 2025, Paula Badosa defeated Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 in a thrilling French Open first-round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Spanish No. 10 seed’s comeback victory was followed by kind words for her opponent, highlighting the match’s emotional weight.
## A Fierce Battle
Osaka, in a pink sakura-themed outfit, won the first set 7-6(1) after saving a set point. Blisters prompted a medical timeout, where she trimmed her nails, explaining: “Since Rome, I have had blisters on my hands. I think it’s from the friction of clay.” Badosa dominated the second set 6-1, winning five straight games. In the third, Osaka led 2-0, but Badosa broke in the seventh game, clinching the match 6-4. “I was 7-6 down, the first thing I did was to look over there [at Nadal’s footprint],” Badosa said. “I’m like, ‘Come on Paula, you have to fight like he was.’ Thanks Rafa.”
## Badosa’s Resurgence
Badosa’s win follows her 2024 WTA Comeback Player award after a 2023 back injury. Her 2025 Australian Open semifinal showed her form, though recent back issues limited her clay prep. “Honestly it’s not fair to play her first round, but I’m really happy with the level, especially coming from an injury,” she said. She next faces Ruse or Kessler.
## Osaka’s Emotional Exit
Osaka’s 54 unforced errors contrasted Badosa’s 27 winners and 27 errors. “As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better. I hate disappointing people,” Osaka said tearfully. Her Saint-Malo title showed promise, but clay remains tough.
## A Classy Gesture
Badosa praised Osaka: “I have to be honest, it’s not fair to have a first round like this. For her… she’s playing very good tennis. Very, very soon, she’s going to be where she wants to be.” As Badosa advances, her words offer hope for Osaka’s resurgence.
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