Naomi Osaka has bowed out of Roland Garros in the fourth round after losing her clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
The match saw two four-time Grand Slam champions go head-to-head, and indeed the current WTA number one against a former WTA number one.
But more significantly, Sabalenka and Osaka played the Roland Garros night match on Monday, representing the first women’s match to take place in the session since 2023.
And Osaka, who was beaten 7-5, 6-3, has now shared her verdict on playing a key role in such a rare scenario at Roland Garros.
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Naomi Osaka enjoys Roland Garros night match vs Aryna Sabalenka
After losing to Sabalenka, Osaka said of the night-session match in the French capital: “For me I thought it was really cool.
“She is really good for tennis. I would hope that I am okay for tennis too. I think it was really fun to play, honestly.
“The last time I remember playing a semi-night match here with Iga [Swiatek], but I was told that it wasn’t the official night match.
“I am honoured that the tournament chose us to play in this slot and I hope that going forward they will continue to do so.”
And sharing if she felt pressure to play a good match, the four-time Grand Slam champion said: “Not really.
“I don’t really care. I feel like there’s so many things to put pressure on myself that is the last thing on my mind.
“Obviously you don’t want to be beaten 6-0, 6-0 but that is anywhere, on any court. If I was on court 27 I wouldn’t want to be beaten that fast either.
“So shout out the tournament for trusting us, I hope it was entertaining for people. I think off of the back of the soccer match [PSG vs Arsenal], I think they are just happy regardless watching sport.”
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Naomi Osaka reacts to Serena Williams returning to tennis
The match was certainly full of quality, with the top seed defeating the 16th seed after one hour and 27 minutes.
And while she was on the receiving end of a defeat, Osaka can certainly be really proud of her efforts at Roland Garros.
The 28-year-old showed plenty of glimpses of her former self, which is what her fellow icon Serena Williams is looking to do with her impending return to tennis.
After almost four years without playing, 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams will play doubles at Queen’s later this month.
When asked what level she expects from the American legend, Osaka said: “I don’t know what level to expect, I don’t really know.
“I am just focusing on myself, honestly. I love that you’re asking me these questions but there is only so much that I can answer you with about other people’s levels.”
It was a sensible response from Osaka, who will have her own grand plans for a successful grass-court swing.
All four of her Grand Slam titles have, however, arrived on hard courts, having won twice at the Australian Open and twice at the US Open.
But Osaka can definitely take great confidence from Paris after reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career.
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