MELBOURNE — The roar of the crowd on Rod Laver Arena had barely subsided when Naomi Osaka, fresh from a commanding 6-3, 7-6(9) victory over France's Caroline Garcia in her Grand Slam return, delivered a line that was equal parts relief, dark humor, and raw honesty. When asked about the prospect of facing her next opponent, the crafty and resilient 15th seed, Elina Svitolina, Osaka didn't mince words. "I don't want to see her again," she said with a wry smile, referencing their recent three-set battle in Brisbane just weeks prior.
That statement, more than any statistic from her first-round win, encapsulated the monumental challenge Osaka has embraced by returning to professional tennis after 15 months away to have her daughter, Shai. Her 2024 Australian Open campaign isn't just about winning matches; it's a grueling re-acclimatization to the physical and psychological furnace of elite competition. And in dispatching a powerful opponent like Garcia, the former world No. 4, Osaka sent a clear message: her champion's mentality remains intact, even if her match rhythm is still a work in progress.
A Triumphant, Nerve-Wracking Return
Walking onto the court for her first major match since the 2022 US Open, Osaka carried the weight of immense expectation and personal curiosity. The four-time Grand Slam champion, now ranked 831st in the world and playing on a protected ranking, faced a daunting draw in Garcia, a player known for her explosive serve and aggressive front-foot tennis. The match was a tense, high-quality affair that saw Osaka save two set points in a gripping second-set tiebreak. Her performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression, showcasing the very weapons that made her a dominant force.
Most notably, her serve was a formidable asset. She fired 7 aces and won an impressive 84% of points behind her first serve, a statistic that allowed her to navigate tricky service games under pressure. "I was really nervous coming into this match," Osaka admitted in her post-match press conference. "I just wanted to play without any regrets. I think I did that really well today. The last couple of points were super fun."
The "fun" she referenced was the nail-biting tiebreak, where she oscillated between bold winners and the kind of errors expected from someone shaking off competitive rust. Yet, when it mattered most, she trusted her game. She sealed the match with a confident forehand winner, a release of emotion evident in her triumphant fist pump toward her team, which now includes her longtime coach Wim Fissette, who returned to her side after her maternity leave.
The "Don't Want to See Her" Rivalry
Osaka's quip about Elina Svitolina was born from recent, painful memory. In her second tournament back in Brisbane, Osaka held a match point against the Ukrainian star but ultimately fell in a third-set tiebreak after nearly three hours of brutal rallies. That match was a physical and tactical awakening for Osaka, exposing the areas of her game that needed sharpening for sustained success. Svitolina, a two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist known for her exceptional movement and counter-punching, represents a starkly different challenge from the power of Garcia.
"I know her game," Osaka said of Svitolina, expanding on her initial comment. "She's one of those players that doesn't make a lot of mistakes. I feel like I have to be the one to dictate. In Brisbane, I had chances and I didn't take them. That's something I've been thinking about a lot." The upcoming second-round clash is therefore more than a match; it's an immediate opportunity for Osaka to apply the lessons learned just weeks ago, a rare chance for rapid-fire redemption in the grueling Grand Slam calendar.
For Svitolina, the match presents its own unique pressure. Returning from her own maternity leave in 2023, she enjoyed a spectacular comeback, reaching the French Open quarterfinals and the Wimbledon semifinals. She is now an established threat and will not be intimidated by Osaka's pedigree. In Brisbane, she weathered Osaka's power and extended points with her trademark defensive skills, ultimately breaking down Osaka's consistency in the decisive moments.
Keys to the Second-Round Rematch
The Osaka-Svitolina rematch will likely hinge on a few critical factors:
- First-Serve Percentage: Osaka's dominance on her first serve against Garcia must be replicated. If her serve is firing, she can control points from the outset.
- Patience in Construction: Against Svitolina, winners won't come as cheaply. Osaka will need to balance her aggressive intent with selective patience, working the point to create openings.
- Mental Fortitude: Closing out tight sets and managing the memory of the Brisbane loss will be a significant psychological test.
A New Perspective, Same Ambition
Throughout her press conference, a new maturity in Osaka was palpable. The nerves were acknowledged, the pressure admitted, but they were framed through the lens of a person who has gained a profound life perspective. "Being a mom has changed my mindset a lot," she explained. "I think I'm a lot more confident in myself and my abilities. Not that I wasn't confident before, but there's a difference now. I'm here for a reason, and I know that." This confidence manifests not as bravado, but as a quiet assurance that she belongs on this stage, even during the inevitable moments of struggle.
This perspective also allows her to manage expectations, both external and internal. She is openly treating this comeback as a marathon, not a sprint. The goal in Melbourne isn't explicitly to win the title—though she certainly believes she can—but to continue building, learning, and competing against the best. "Every match is a bonus for me right now," she said, a statement that belies the fierce competitor still burning within.
A Statement Made, A Gauntlet Thrown
Naomi Osaka's first-round victory at the 2024 Australian Open was significant for several reasons. It proved her game can still overwhelm top-tier opponents. It showed her serve remains a world-class weapon. Most importantly, it demonstrated that her competitive fire not only still burns but may burn with a new, more sustainable fuel. The road ahead is brutally difficult, with the Svitolina rematch posing a massive tactical and mental hurdle.
Yet, by playfully stating "I don't want to see her again," Osaka revealed her deep understanding of the challenge. It's the sentiment of an athlete who has just endured a war of attrition and knows she must immediately prepare for another. In Melbourne, Osaka isn't just playing for points or trophies; she's engaging in the hard, public work of rebuilding a champion. Her opening act was a resounding success, but the next chapter, against a familiar foe she's desperate to beat, will reveal even more about the heart and future of Naomi Osaka 2.0.