"This is a career first for me": Naomi Osaka 'really happy' after cementing place in first final following lengthy injury layoff

WTA
Saturday, 04 January 2025 at 13:15
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Japan’s Naomi Osaka has stated that she is ‘really happy’ after securing a spot in her first final after returning to the court following a lengthy layoff. The 27-year-old returned to the court earlier in 2024 after spending more than 12 months on the sidelines because of pregnancy.

Her return, however, was far from perfect as despite playing throughout the season, she failed to book a spot in the final of any event. That wait finally ended as Osaka cemented her spot in the final of the ongoing ASB Classic after beating America’s Alycia Parks in the last four in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2.

Talking after the match, Osaka, who is the former world number one and has won multiple Grand Slam titles, the former world number one stated that she is ‘really happy’ with her performances. She also stated that one of the reasons why she is delighted with her performance is because this is the first time she has managed to book her place in the final of an event a week before the Australian Open.

“It was definitely really important,” she said. “I’m happy to get through to the final. I’ve actually never gotten to the final of a tournament the week before Melbourne. This is a career first for me. I think in my head I’m really happy there are always things to improve and get better, no matter how old you are.”

In the final, Gauff will go up against Denmark’s Clara Tauson. The 22-year-old, who also participated in the doubles category and went as far as playing in the semifinal, booked her place in the grand finale after beating America’s Robin Montgomery in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two players in professional tennis.

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