Naomi Osaka Eyes Elite Competition After Triumphant Miami Open Victory 

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka declared her ambition to “play with the big dogs” of women’s tennis after securing her first WTA 1000 title in over four years at the Miami Open. The Japanese star, now ranked No. 36, battled past qualifier Danielle Collins 7-6(7-4), 5-7, 6-4 in a grueling final, signaling a resurgent comeback after returning to the tour in January following maternity leave. 

Osaka, a former world No. 1, overcame a tense third set and saved a break point at 4-4 before clinching victory, later admitting she felt “nervous but incredibly motivated” to prove herself against the sport’s top contenders. “I want to compete with the best again—players like Iga [Swiatek], Aryna [Sabalenka], Elena [Rybakina], and Coco [Gauff],” she said. “This win shows I’m heading in the right direction.” 

The hard-fought triumph marks Osaka’s first title since the 2021 Australian Open and caps a steady climb from No. 134 in the rankings after she took a 15-month hiatus to welcome her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. “Becoming a mother changed my perspective. I play for her now, but the fire to win is still there,” Osaka told reporters. 

Though her Miami run included victories over Top 20 opponents such as Elina Svitolina and Beatriz Haddad Maia, Osaka emphasized the need to refine her game further. “I’m still rebuilding confidence. The next step is consistency against the top players,” she said, referencing her third-round exit at January’s Australian Open. 

The Miami title positions Osaka as a potential threat ahead of the clay-court season, with sights set on Roland Garros. “Clay isn’t my favorite, but I’m ready to grind,” she joked, adding that coach Wim Fissette’s guidance has been pivotal in her resurgence. 

Fans and analysts have welcomed Osaka’s return to form, with tennis legend Martina Navratilova calling her performance “a reminder of her champion mentality.” As Osaka prepares for Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix in April, her renewed drive underscores a career revitalized—both by motherhood and an unrelenting hunger to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite. 

“I’m not here just to participate,” Osaka said. “I’m here to win.”