The former world number one, Naomi Osaka, will kick off her 2025 season at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland this January. The four-time Grand Slam champion returned to tennis this year after an 18-month hiatus during which she became a mother to her daughter, Shai. Osaka is currently ranked 76th in the singles rankings and suffered a loss in the second round of the U.S. Open on August 29.
Osaka last participated in the Auckland tournament in 2017, where she reached the quarterfinals. Following her defeat at the U.S. Open, she recently decided to end her collaboration with her coach. “Naomi is one of the best players in tennis with an exciting and powerful style of play,” stated tournament director Nicolas Lamperin. “It is always a challenge to return to the sport after a long break, but Naomi has shown some extremely promising signs. She has a very powerful game and plays an exciting brand of tennis. Many believe that Naomi will return to the top of the sport, and that journey will start here in Auckland.”
Osaka is looking forward to her return to Auckland and has fond memories from her last visit. “I’m excited to embrace the nature in Auckland, and of course to compete in a tournament that I haven’t participated in for a long time,” she said. “When I was there last time, I was lucky to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches, which I thought were really beautiful. My other memory is that Auckland has the best salmon.”
The ASB Classic will take place from December 30 to January 5.