Naomi Osaka is setting ambitious targets for the next chapter of her career after taking a maternity break in 2023.
The four-time Grand Slam winner has openly stated that she is aiming for a Career Grand Slam, which means she must add French Open and Wimbledon titles to her collection.
Currently ranked No. 57 in the world, Osaka has been steadily climbing the WTA rankings. Her struggles began in 2021 when a dip in form, coupled with mental health challenges, led to a ranking decline and a break from the sport. In 2023, she welcomed her daughter, Shai, and set her sights on a strong comeback in 2024.
At the start of the year, Osaka was ranked outside the Top 800, but a series of strong performances have propelled her back to No. 57. She has competed in two tournaments so far, achieving a 6-2 record.
However, both of her defeats came via retirement due to injury—first in the ASB Classic final against Clara Tauson (Osaka was leading 6-4 before withdrawing), and then in the Australian Open third round against Belinda Bencic (6-7, ret.).
Osaka chasing history: Winning Wimbledon & Roland Garros on her radar
Although injuries have hindered her momentum, Osaka has shown impressive form whenever she steps on the court. With four Grand Slam titles under her belt, her ability to compete with the world’s best is undeniable.
However, most of her success has come on hard courts, and she is now determined to expand her dominance by mastering other surfaces in pursuit of a Career Grand Slam.
“I have a lot of goals going forward. For as long as I can play, I really want to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros (the French Open) and get a career Grand Slam,” Osaka said. “It’s interesting when I hear from an outside perspective because, of course, all of the achievements (I’ve had so far) are great, but I always feel like there’s a lot more to do.”
Osaka’s performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon have been underwhelming so far, as she has yet to advance beyond the third round in either tournament. In stark contrast, she claimed two Australian Open titles and two US Open championships between 2018 and 2021.
The Venus Williams influence
Indian Wells recently granted a wild card to seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. Osaka, who has often named Venus and Serena Williams as her biggest inspirations, shared her excitement about the opportunity to compete alongside the tennis icon.
“She’s probably the reason why I started playing. It makes me really excited to go to the tournament and see her, and I feel like she probably doesn’t know how many people she’s inspired because even she inspired me – and through me, there’s probably other kids that are inspired. So it keeps the legacy going.”
However, Osaka’s anticipated reunion won’t be happening. Just hours after Indian Wells announced the wild card, Williams clarified that she would not be participating.
Speaking at an event in Denmark, the former World No. 1 admitted she was unaware of the invitation. “I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be [there],” Williams said. “I’m not playing. I found out about the wild card when you guys did. Just saying.”
