Above: Naomi Osaka Instagram image release from Nike before 2024 Australian Open. The message was: “Yesterday I found new purpose in tomorrow. Today, I’m stronger.”

USA tennis pro Naomi Osaka was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open today. Osaka suffered a straight sets loss to French player Caroline Garcia 6-4, 7-6. Garcia entered the Melbourne tournament as No.16 seed.

Osaka is back on the tennis court for the first time since the US Open 2022.

Osaka, now 26 and a new mom, returned to professional tennis as a wildcard at the Brisbane International earlier in January. The four-time grand slam winner, Osaka defeated Tamara Korpatsch in the first round of the Brisbane International in straight sets, before losing to defending champion Karolina Pliskova in a three-set match.

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Above: Osaka and Garcia congratulate each other over Garcia’s win. via Garcia WTA IG.

“I have a lot of respect for Naomi Osaka as a person and as a player,” Garcia said after the victory. “We all know she’s had an amazing career.

“She’s been away for 15 months and been through a lot. I’m just very glad to see her back. I hope she can enjoy the tennis and have fun out there.

“She’s a great girl and has done so much for tennis in the past years. Just six months after giving birth and she’s playing amazing tennis so we have to watch out!”

For her part, Naomi actually read a book at times during her match and appeared to be in a much more positive place mentally than in past years.

“Coming here and playing three tough matches I feel positive that I'm at least able to challenge [the top players],” Osaka said to press.

“But the competitor in me is really frustrated that I'm not winning these matches of course.

“I wouldn't say this comeback is how I thought [it would go] because I'm delusional enough to think I could have won the tournament and I think my delusion is what allows me to win tournaments.”

Below: Caroline Garcia was airborne after her first round, decisive win over Naomi Osaka at 2024 Australian Open. via Garcia WTA IG.