(CNN) โย Former world No. 1ย Naomi Osakaย has won her first title since becoming a mother, beating Sloveniaโs Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in the final of LโOpen 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 event France.
Osaka, a four-time grand slam champion, returned to competitive tennis at the start of 2024 after giving birth to her daughter in July 2023.
โKinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,โ Osakaย wrote on Xย following her win.
โThatโs one of my favorite things about life though, thereโs always room to grow and evolve. Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know itโs turbulent but itโs also really fun and Iโm grateful.โ
It is the first clay-court title of Osakaโs career and comes after a promising start to the year was derailed by injuries.
Osakaโs win will also push her back into the worldโs top 50 for the first time since returning to tennis.
The 27-year-old revealed last year that she wasย still adjustingย to playing tennis following theย birth of her daughter, saying she didnโt โfeel like Iโm in my body.โ
Osaka has previously taken extended breaks from tennis to prioritize her mental health.
The Japanese star is next set to compete at the WTA 1000 Italian Open which begins on Wednesday.
