Naomi Osaka brings an end to her time at UCLA campus with "last pic of preseason" in Nike gear as she prepares for 2025 run

Naomi Osaka brought an end to her time at the UCLA campus as she shared her "last pic of preseason" in Nike gear. She will commence her 2025 campaign in Auckland.

Osaka's 2024 season was challenging as she struggled to find consistency amid persistent injury issues. The four-time Grand Slam champion suffered a back injury at the China Open, which put an abrupt end to her campaign. However, this presented Osaka with extra time to rest and recover ahead of the new season.

Osaka had been training at the University campus for the last couple of months. Taking to social media on Monday, December 23, the 27-year-old shared the picture of her last training session at the UCLA practice court. She stated that her hitting partner Matias Zukas, who clicked the picture, influenced her to post it.

"Mati said I had to do a "last pic of preseason." See you soon Auckland," Osaka wrote on her Instagram stories.

Naomi Osaka's Instagram story on Monday (Source: Instagram - @naomiosaka)

Osaka then asked online users to rate Zukas' photography skills, providing two options: "amazing" and "absolutely not."

"Rate Mati's photography skills," her Instagram story read.

Via Osaka's Instagram stories (Source: Instagram - @naomiosaka)

Osaka will commence her new season at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She will return to the ASB Tennis Centre after eight years. Her last campaign at the WTA 250 event in 2017 saw her reach the quarterfinals, where she retired half way through the first set against Croatia's Ana Konjuh.

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"Looking forward to embracing nature of Auckland" - Naomi Osaka on competing at ASB Classic

Naomi Osaka in action at the 2024 China Open (Source: Getty)

Naomi Osaka expressed delight at returning to Auckland for the 2025 ASB Classic. The two-time US Open winner stated that she was eagarly awaiting to "embrace the nature" of the North Island city.

In a recent chat with ASB Classic, Osaka expressed excitement on playing in Auckland, having missed out on the WTA 250 tournament "for a long time".

"I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course, playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time. I am excited to return to Auckland for the ASB Classic 2025," Osaka said.

Apart from Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, and Sofia Kenin are some of the other prominent names on the entry list for the 2025 ASB Classic. The tournament will commence on December 30.