- Naomi Osaka read a book on her Australian Open return
- The tennis star was back in action for the first time in over a year
- She fell to defeat but had fans in stitches with her antics
Naomi Osaka was the protagonist during her enthralling battle on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night, but she was seemingly more engrossed in a different story altogether on her Australian Open return.
Osaka, 26, was back on the big stage for the first time since the US Open 2022, having given birth to her first child last year, but faced a tough test in No 16 seed Caroline Garcia, eventually losing 6-4, 7-6(2).
And while it didn’t go her way in Melbourne, she provided entertaining viewing for her adoring fans after being spotted reading a book during a change of ends.
It is likely the book contained detailed plans on how to beat Garcia, although fans couldn’t help but speculate that Osaka was glued to a gripping novel.
‘Snape kills Dumbeldore,’ one fan joked, referring to a key moment in the Harry Potter series.
Naomi Osaka chose to read a book during her return to the Australian Open
‘What is she reading?’ another asked.
Former tennis star Laura Robson provided an insight on Eurosport: ‘I don’t know what she is reading, I don’t think she will ever tell us.
‘But I could hear her from courtside before almost every return you could hear her saying ‘come on, come on, come on,’ she was really trying to pump herself up.’
Despite the scoreline Osaka can take heart with her performance – returning to tennis at last week’s Brisbane International just six months after the birth of her daughter with the Open her first major since the US Open in 2022.
She warned fans last week ‘a lot of time and patience’ will be needed before she rediscovers her best but the four-time grand slam champion believes she’s capable of returning to the top of the game.
Veteran Garcia, who reached the fourth round of the Open last year, claimed an early break in the first set and never looked back
The pair went toe to toe in the a high-quality second, with Osaka finding her range and rhythm as the match went into a tie-break.
While Osaka opened with an ace, world No.19 Garcia lifted her own service game to keep her rival at bay.
She finished the match with 13 aces and 89 per cent of first serve points won while hit 34 winners to Osaka’s 20.
Garcia was full of praise for her opponent and the standard of her tennis so soon after giving birth.
Osaka, 26, was back in action for the first time since the US Open in 2022
She fell to defeat to No 16 seed Caroline Garcia on Rod Laver Arena
‘I have a lot of respect for Naomi as a person and player,’ Garcia said on court after the win.
‘She’s had an amazing career. She was away for 15 months. She’s been through a lot.
‘She’s a great girl and she’s done so much for our tennis in the last few years.
‘Six months after giving birth she’s playing amazing already. We have to watch out.’