ASB Classic: How Naomi Osaka hopes Auckland success can enhance her legacy

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates winning her match against the US' Alycia Parks in the semifinal match of the 2024-25 Women’s ASB Classic WTA 250 tennis tournament at Mānuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Photo / Alan Lee / Photosport

On Sunday morning at her Auckland hotel, Naomi Osaka will sit down to a familiar breakfast.

Ahead of the 2025 ASB Classic final, the Japanese star will have smoked salmon, eggs – “sunny side up” – and an omelette. It’s been the same every day since she arrived here on the December 24, as Osaka, like most players, prefers routines.

”I always have to eat the same thing for breakfast and I’m quite tired of it at this point,” laughed Osaka. “I mean, you know, all tennis players are superstitious. So, same thing for breakfast. I listen to the same music walking on to the court.

“Same music in the car. I tie my right shoe on and then my left shoe. It’s a lot. It can get very exhausting.”

That may be so, but the recipe has worked. And on Sunday, Osaka is set for a novel scenario. It’s not just her first final in almost three years – since Miami in March 2022 – but also her first anywhere at this stage of the season, ahead of the Australian Open.

”This is a new experience for me, especially being the first tournament of the year,” said Osaka. “I’ve never had that before [and] I really appreciate it. The last year has grown my character a lot, and so I don’t take this for granted at all.”

Perhaps most importantly, this match will also represent Osaka’s first final at a WTA 250 tournament. The 27-year-old has achieved so much on the big stage – with four grand slam titles and plenty of success at WTA 1000 events.

But she has struggled to replicate that success at the lowest tier, admitting at the start of the week she had probably been typecast as a “big match player”. Her mindset has changed since her return to the sport last January, as she wants to leave an enhanced legacy as someone with much more consistency.

”I want to take every match seriously, and if someone does beat me, I want it to be the fight of their life, and I want to build that reputation within the community of tennis,” said Osaka. “I just hope that I can grow to, I guess, fight for everything.”

”When I was younger, I didn’t really fight as much as I could have, or I did take some tournaments for granted. Now I just want to take every day, learn from every day and try [the] best as I can.”

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates winning her match against the US' Alycia Parks in the semifinal match of the 2024-25 Women’s ASB Classic WTA 250 tennis tournament at Mānuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Photo / Alan Lee / Photosport

That spirit has been evident this week. While Osaka has faced mostly modest opposition in terms of rankings, with all three seeds disappearing from her side of the draw, no one is easy at this time of year. Incessant wind, which finally eased on Saturday, has also been a leveller, but Osaka has steadily improved.

”Honestly, I think I’m playing really [well],” said Osaka. “It’s really hard to tell here, though, because there’s weather differences, [but] I feel like that’s also a testament to being able to adjust really well.”

That was evident on Saturday. World No 82 Alycia Parks started well, serving bombs and taking an aggressive approach as she looked to attack the Osaka serve. She grabbed an early break to lead 3-1 in the first set, before Osaka reset.

”I feel like [in] every match against every player, you have to change things here and there,” said Osaka. “She was definitely attacking my serve a lot, so I just tried to get it out of her wingspan.”

Osaka broke back immediately, then grabbed another game on Parks’ serve. The American was trying everything, before Osaka managed a strong hold at 5-4 – defending two break points – wrapping up the set in 36 minutes.

The second set was more of a procession, as Parks began to wilt, probably also feeling the effects of her quarter-final earlier on Saturday, carried over after Friday’s rain. But it was obvious Osaka lifted and found a new groove, taking the match 6-4 6-2 in 71 minutes.

“She played really fast, and I was just trying to stay as calm as possible,” said Osaka. “My biggest thing was just trying to get rhythm in the rallies. Granted, we didn’t play that many, but I definitely feel against most players, I feel more confident once the rally gets going.”

Now, Osaka needs to make the last step. Few would bet against her, given her experience and big-match temperament, though young Dane Claudia Tauson has had a brilliant week and a tougher road, including top seed Madison Keys and former grand slam champion Sofia Kenin.

”I’m looking forward to the match, of course,” said Osaka. “I hope the journey doesn’t stop, but overall, this trip has been a really good one.”

Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.