Caroline Garcia reacts on social media after being drawn against Naomi Osaka in Australian Open round one

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Caroline Garcia and Naomi Osaka will play each other in the first round of the Australian Open for a second consecutive season.

Osaka made her Grand Slam return at the Australian Open last year, after giving birth to her daughter in July 2023.

However, the return did not quite go to plan for Osaka, with Garcia producing 13 aces to beat the former champion in straight sets.

This time around it is the Frenchwoman who is the returning player, with Garcia admitting that it could be her last year on the WTA Tour after cutting her 2024 season short due to mental health struggles.

Caroline Garcia reacts to Australian Open rematch with Naomi Osaka

Despite not playing any warm-up tournaments ahead of the Australian Open, Garcia appears to be looking forward to her rematch with Osaka after reacting on social media.

“New year, same draw @AustralianOpen (fire and bomb emoji),” Garcia said on X (formerly known as Twitter). “This is starting to be a classic @naomiosaka (laughing face emoji).”

Garcia and Osaka met on three occasions during the 2024 season, including that aforementioned meeting at the Australian Open.

The upcoming match will actually be their third in Melbourne, having also played in 2021 when Osaka went onto win the title.

Will Naomi Osaka be fit for the Australian Open?

Osaka reached her first final since giving birth in Auckland, taking the first set against opponent Clara Tauson.

Despite winning the first set, Osaka retired due to an abdominal injury, causing concerns for fans of the Japanese star.

However, these concerns have since been played down after Osaka revealed that she was optimistic about her chances of playing at the Australian Open.

Osaka has until Sunday January 12, when the Australian Open main draw gets underway.