Naomi Osaka advanced to the second round of the French Open on Monday, showcasing a striking golden ensemble that drew attention on and off the court. The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in a match that tested her resilience after a sluggish second set. Osaka’s choice of a gold-trimmed dress, designed by Nike, symbolised a return to prominence following her maternity leave and mental health hiatus.
Meanwhile, British tennis prospects focused on grass-court preparation, with Cameron Norrie and Emma Raducanu opting to skip Roland Garros to train on home turf. Norrie, ranked 14th, cited strategic scheduling to peak for Wimbledon. Raducanu, still recovering from wrist surgery, is expected to enter the tournament with a wildcard.
The French Open remains a critical benchmark for clay-court specialists, but for British players, the emphasis is squarely on the All England Club. Osaka’s performance, however, reaffirms her status as a crowd favourite and a potential dark horse on the Parisian clay.
