Naomi Osaka lost her first match of the clay court season against Lucia Bronzetti at the Madrid Open.
Osaka was feeling physically fit ahead of the Madrid Open, but was beaten in three sets by the Italian.
She even made changes made to her game for the switch of surface, with Patrick Mouratoglou adapting Osaka’s forehand technique.
Despite this, Osaka is not taking her defeat lying down and has already signed up to compete at an upcoming tournament.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTennis fans ‘shocked’ after Naomi Osaka receives wildcard for lower level WTA tournament
It has now been announced that Osaka has accepted a wildcard for the WTA 125 level tournament in Saint Malo.
WTA 125 level tournaments are a level below the main tour, with fans left surprised that the four-time major winner has decided to play this event.
Many of these fans posting on X (formerly known as Twitter) were also pleased with what Osaka had decided to do, as she looks to get more clay court practise in.
“Oh finally!!! 125k LETS GO.”
“FINALLYYYYYYY WE BEEN PRAYING FOR HER TO PLAY SOME 125S.”
Another social media user wrote, “Wow! Osaka is dropping down to 125K level.”
Someone else suggested that this was a defiant response against those who had criticized Osaka’s dedication.
“Naomi has received a WC for L’Open next week.Louder for the negative people who’s been bashing Naomi for not being serious on clay. Win or lose – so proud & excited to see you giving your best. Hard work will definitely pay off one day.”
Naomi has received a WC for L’Open next week✨⭐️
Louder for the negative people who’s been bashing Naomi for not being serious on clay.
Win or lose – so proud & excited to see you giving your best.
Hard work will definitely pay off one day ❤️ LFG!!! https://t.co/g0ojKYEjdG
— Coolbananas (@iamcoolbananas) April 24, 2025
View Tweet
An additional person wrote, “IM SHOCKED.”
Osaka will be the second seed at the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, behind Alycia Parks, that gets underway on Monday April 28.
Naomi Osaka’s career record on clay
Clay has been a difficult surface for Osaka to become used to, with just a 52% win-loss record on the main WTA Tour.
Osaka’s best year on the surface came in 2019, when she reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart, as well as quarter-final appearances at the Madrid and Italian Open’s.
However, the former world number one is still yet to surpass the third round of Roland Garros, but did impress in her appearance last year.
At the Parisian major in 2024, Osaka pushed eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the second round and actually had a match point.
Naomi Osaka on clayResultWin-loss Record26-24 (52%)Best Overall PerformancesStuttgart 2019 (SF), Madrid 2019 (QF) & Rome 2019 (QF)Best Roland Garros PerformanceThird Round (2016, 2018 & 2019)
Osaka will look to get some matches in on the clay of Saint-Malo, in preparation for the Italian Open and Roland Garros.
AloJapan.com