Naomi Osaka is going to compete in Berlin for the first time

Global superstar comes to a world class city - for a world-class tournament. Naomi Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles, was number one in the world for 25 weeks and lit the Olympic flame in her Japanese homeland. Now the 26-year-old right-hander is making her debut in the German capital.

"I'm delighted to be playing in Berlin for the first time. It is widely known how excellent the grass courts are, how strong the field of players is and how wonderful the vibe is there at the Berlin Ladies Open presented by ecotrans Group," said Osaka.

Barbara Rittner, Tournament Director of the Berlin Ladies Open presented by ecotrans Group, is delighted with Osaka's commitment: „Naomi Osaka is a dazzling personality and is already back in great form after her pregnancy. She will certainly present herself well on grass. The tennis audience in Berlin can look forward to a global superstar."

A global superstar with ambition. Because Naomi Osaka wants to get back to where she was: at the top of the tennis world. She was there in 2019, but a lot has happened since then. Osaka took a 15-month break from tennis from 2022. In July of last year, she became a mother for the first time. Since then, she has described her daughter Shai as "my ultimate motivation. She awakens in me the ambition to achieve great things". 

She has already achieved great things in sport, winning the Australian Open (2019, 2021) and the US Open (2018, 2020) twice each. But Osaka's greatness extends beyond her achievements as a tennis player. She is socially committed and takes a stand against racism. Her entire personality makes her a global superstar with a worldwide fan base.

Last year, Petra Kvitova won the title in the completely sold-out Steffi-Graf-Stadium. Can Naomi Osaka succeed her? She will try and says: "A top tournament in an exciting, inspiring city. That’s the perfect match for me. I will give it my all to be at the top of my game in Berlin."

Top form will be necessary. The best players in the world will once again be competing in the Steffi-Graf-Stadium.