Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was defeated in the first round of the Berlin Tennis Open on Tuesday, falling to Liudmila Samsonova in a hard-fought three-set match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The loss marks an early exit for Osaka from the grass-court tournament, a key warm-up event for Wimbledon.
The match was a tight contest from the outset. Osaka, currently ranked 57th in the world, started strong, securing the first set. However, the powerful hitting of the 15th-ranked Samsonova proved formidable. The Russian player battled back to claim the second set and carried her momentum into the decider, ultimately sealing the victory after a tense final set.
This result follows a mixed clay-court season for Osaka. While she suffered an early exit at the French Open, she also captured her first title in four years at a WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo, France. Her return to the tour in 2024 after maternity leave has seen moments of brilliance as she continues to rebuild her form and navigate the challenges of professional tennis.
Off the court, Osaka has continued to be a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. In recent weeks, she has spoken candidly about her "constant inner struggles" and the pressures she faces, using her platform to foster a more open dialogue around the mental well-being of athletes.
Following her departure from Berlin, Osaka's focus will now shift to her preparations for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships, where she will be looking to make a strong showing at the prestigious Grand Slam.
