Naomi Osaka is officially back. And this time, she’s got red dirt on her shoes and a trophy in her hands. The former World No.1 just won her first WTA Tour-level title since returning from maternity leave, lifting the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France on Sunday. The four-time Grand Slam champ sealed the WTA 125 crown with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Slovenia’s unseeded Kaja Juvan. This win comes more than three years after her last title: the 2021 Australian Open. Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster. With this win, she shut down the noise surrounding her game, both on and off the court. And in the process, she even caught the attention of Serena Williams’ former coach.

Naomi Osaka’s 2025 season kicked off with a run to the final in Auckland at the ASB Classic, her first final in nearly three years. Unfortunately, an injury forced her to retire during that match. The setbacks didn’t stop there. At the Australian Open, she withdrew from her third-round clash. Since Melbourne, she’s faced two first-round exits in her next three events, including a tough loss to Lucia Bronzetti at the Madrid Open. Still, Saint-Malo brought a breath of fresh air. The field didn’t feature anyone ranked inside the Top 100, but that didn’t matter. Winning five matches in a row on clay is no small feat, especially for someone who has always called it her weakest surface.

Before taking the court for the final, the former World No.1 had already fired back at her critics on social media. She posted an employment form on X with the caption, “This is for everyone that constantly has s— to say lol.”

Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs loved the clapback. “This is hilarious 😂,” Stubbs replied on X, clearly enjoying Osaka’s cheeky response.

That bold energy isn’t new. Just last week, Osaka shared a candid thought on Instagram. “I lowkey have short-term memory loss so I don’t stay discouraged for long- we woke up this morning, we’re blessed, we’re healthy and we’re happy- wthelly.” That mindset might be her biggest strength right now.

While Stubbs found her off-court attitude impressive, it was Osaka’s game on the court that drew praise from a retired ATP legend.

Retired ATP Legend cheers on Naomi Osaka as she ends title drought

As the No.2 seed, Naomi Osaka breezed past three French players—Leolia Jeanjean, Elsa Jacquemot, and Diane Parry before facing Juvan in the final. She dropped only one set the entire week. And when it mattered most, she delivered.

Her performance also earned praise from across the tennis world. Retired ATP legend Boris Becker had a simple but powerful message: “Welcome back Naomi !!!” he wrote on X.

It’s her eighth singles title overall, but what makes it extra special is that it’s her first title on clay. That’s right. The surface she once dreaded the most is now part of her comeback story. The 27-year-old reflected on the win with a message that hit all the right notes. On Instagram, she wrote, “Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst. That’s one of my favorite things about life, though, there’s always room to grow and evolve. Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know it’s turbulent, but it’s also really fun and I’m grateful.”

The Saint-Malo title is more than just a win, it also launches her back into the WTA Top 50. And with the Italian Open starting Tuesday, momentum is finally on her side. She’s got the confidence. She’s got the wins. And now, she’s got a trophy to back it all up. Naomi Osaka is back in the winner’s circle. But can she carry this spark into the clay season’s next big challenge?