"I know she’s a good clay court player" Naomi Osaka previews Roland Garros clash against Paula Badosa

Naomi Osaka previewed her upcoming Monday match against Paula Badosa at Roland Garros, set to be one of the first round's blockbuster encounters. Interestingly, the four-time Grand Slam champion has never before faced the Spanish world No. 10.

Just a few weeks ago, the first showdown between Osaka and Badosa was scheduled. These two players have been active participants in major tournaments over the past five years—excluding Osaka's year-long absence due to maternity leave.

However, a Badosa injury forced her to withdraw from the Rome Open at the last minute, and Osaka ended up debuting against Sara Errani, securing a straightforward 6-2, 6-3 victory. The Japanese star then defeated Victoria Goluvic (2-6, 7-5, 6-1) and Marie Bouzkova (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) before falling in the Round of 16 to Peyton Stearns (4-6, 6-3, 7-6).

Looking ahead to the clash with Badosa, Osaka expressed regret over not having played the match a few weeks prior. "I was supposed to play her in Rome but she was injured, so I didn’t get to play her, but I was really looking forward to it because I know she’s a good player."

“It’s kind of crazy that we have both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet. And I know that she’s supposed to be a good clay court player also.”

Osaka enters as the world No. 49 with high hopes, following her title at the WTA 125 Saint-Malo and a total of eight consecutive wins on clay courts before her loss to Stearns. Early in her career, the Japanese player never felt comfortable on clay courts, but in her return to the Tour, she has shown she can achieve great results on the slow surface. A year ago, she pushed Iga Swiatek to the brink, wasting a match point against the four-time Roland Garros champion.