Naomi Osaka returns on the court in San Jose

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will play in San Jose, California, which is her first appearance on the court after the French Open / Roland Garros. The Japanese tennis player has received a wild card for the competition, which will take place between August 1 and 7, four weeks before the US Open.

Naomi Osaka, 24, was knocked out in the first round of Roland Garros after losing to Amanda Anisimova, who also eliminated her in the third round of the Australian Open before withdrawing from Wimbledon due to health issues.

“We are very excited that Naomi Osaka will be playing here. It was here that she made her debut in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and it has been extraordinary for us to watch her develop. Not only is she an incredible tennis player, but her commitment to equality and social change is inspiring”, announced the tournament organizers.

Naomi Osaka is currently ranked 38th in the world and has not won an event in 2022, but reached the final at WTA 1000 Miami Open in April, where she lost to world No 1 Iga Swiatek.

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will also play in San Jose. The world’s No 5 Ons Jabeur, the American Cori “Coco” Gauff and the 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu will also participate in the tournament.