“I think the last few weeks were strong steps in the right direction, and I’m excited to see what I can do in Paris,” Naomi Osaka declared after her gritty exit from the Italian Open, a statement brimming with determination. Her 8-match win streak came to an end in a dramatic, nearly 3-hour clash against Peyton Stearns, featuring everything from a jet flyover to an unsportsmanlike conduct warning and Stearns vomiting courtside. Now, destiny pairs Osaka with 10th seed Paula Badosa, a fierce first-round opponent she’s never faced, despite parallel career starts. A nerve-racking opener? Perhaps. But that’s the Grand Slam thrill.

Interestingly, despite starting their professional careers just a year apart, Osaka in 2014 at Stanford and Paula Badosa in 2015 at the Madrid Open, the two have never faced each other. That changes in a high-stakes French Open 1st-round encounter. Badosa, the 10th seed, is returning from a chronic back injury and recently made a promising quarter-final run in Strasbourg, falling to Liudmila Samsonova in a tight 3-set match. With Badosa’s clay pedigree and Osaka’s upward momentum, their long-awaited clash promises high drama and intensity.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference at France, Naomi Osaka shared her thoughts: “I know I’m playing Badosa. Yeah, I think you know I was supposed to play her in Rome but she was injured so I didn’t get to play her but I was really looking forward to it because I know she’s a good player and it’s kind of crazy that we’ve both been on tour but we haven’t played each other yet. And I know that she’s supposed to be a good clay court player also. So I don’t know.”

The two were set to face off earlier this month at the Italian Open. 9th seed Badosa was to meet Osaka in the 2nd round after a 1st-round bye. However, just before their match at the Foro Italico’s GS Arena, the tournament’s official X handle announced Badosa’s withdrawal due to injury. But Osaka seems prepared now, eager even, spurred on by the ‘Grand Slam thrill’.

“For me, slams are the best tournaments. There’s only four of them, and I feel like that’s where everyone plays the best, and that’s where everyone kind of feels all the energy. So it’s going to be really exciting. Of course, I think I’m going to be nervous because it is a first round, and I’m always nervous in the first round, but hopefully they’ll put us on a really good court,” Osaka added, acknowledging the nerves that come with the spotlight.

Clay has long been less favorable for the 4-time GS champion Naomi Osaka, but this season – where she’s re-entered the Top 50 – tells a different story. The 27-year-old Japanese has shown impressive progress, capturing her first WTA tour-level title in 4 years at Saint-Malo and making a solid run to the 4th round at the Italian Open. Though her best showing at Roland Garros remains the Round of 32, a milestone she’s reached multiple times, Osaka appears more confident and composed on clay than ever before.

And as the stage is set for the high-stakes showdown, excitement is mounting. Adding to the buzz, a former US Open champion has boldly predicted a strong showing for Osaka as she steps onto the clay in Paris.

Andy Roddick makes a bold prediction ahead of Osaka’s match

Former American tennis ace Andy Roddick had earlier praised Naomi Osaka’s decision to enter the WTA 125 event at Saint Malo before heading to Rome, a move he believes was crucial for her momentum. “Naomi Osaka going down and playing that lower-level event — it gives you confidence playing five matches in a week versus playing two here, waiting six days, playing one more, waiting a couple, you know, playing two more. She’s getting that repetitive thing. You can’t create that atmosphere in practice now,” Roddick said, emphasizing how match rhythm can’t be replicated in training. 

But what does he think of Naomi’s chances at the 2025 French Open? Despite Osaka never making it past the 3rd round at Roland Garros and facing a daunting opener against world 10th seed Paula Badosa, Roddick offered a bold take during the latest episode of the “Served” podcast with John Wertheim. “Badosa-Osaka, Oh that’s a tough one, it weirdly like you would have never thought you’d be at the point where it’s like Osaka’s been playing better on clay than Badosa. I’m going upset special… Osaka over Badosa!”

He continued, “Badosa has not been playing well in the last couple of weeks. I know you’re (Wertheim) going to like Kasatkina to the third round, who’s Australia’s own, and I love that. Kasatkina versus who in the third round, JW?” Wertheim replied, “I think Badosa’s back (injury) is the big variable here. If she’s 80% or better, she ought to be okay, but Osaka is… remember what Osaka did last year against Iga (Swiatek)? Actually, I’m going to change that, I’m going to Osaka, I think Osaka…”

Can Osaka live up to those predictions and make a deep run in Paris? Let us know your thoughts below!