Naomi Osaka, once a formidable force in tennis, candidly reflected on her exit from Indian Wells, calling it the “worst match I’ve ever played in my life.” Back in action for the first time since an injury forced her out of the Australian Open in January, Japan’s star player struggled against Camila Osorio, losing 6-4 6-4.
Osaka, who has clinched four major titles, tried to stay optimistic in a news conference, suggesting that the loss was merely a “bump in the road.” However, she later took to social media to express her disappointment, apologizing to fans. “Wow, I’m so sorry to everyone who watched that,” the 27-year-old posted on Threads, feeling the weight of her performance.
Since her return from maternity leave earlier in 2024, Osaka’s road has been fraught with injuries. During her press briefing, she shared a slightly brighter perspective, saying, “There were certain things that felt extremely off because I could only start to practice serving after a certain amount of time.” Reflective, yet hopeful, she added that under the circumstances, the situation wasn’t “that terrible.”
Meanwhile, Camila Osorio from Colombia achieved a milestone at Indian Wells by securing her first-ever win there and is set to face Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the upcoming round.
In other first-day main-draw news, Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner, faced a setback. The Czech player was defeated 4-6 6-3 6-4 by France’s Varvara Gracheva. This marked Kvitova’s continued search for that elusive first victory since returning to the WTA Tour after becoming a mother last July.
Praising Kvitova’s dual roles, Gracheva remarked, “I really want to congratulate her. I’m so happy that she now has the role of a mother and a tennis player, which is very demanding. It’s just amazing.” These words underline the unique challenges faced by athletes balancing family and career, offering a nod of respect to those determined to shine in both arenas.
