Naomi Osaka's Australian Open 1R opponent Caroline Garcia reveals what she thinks of the Japanese's return ahead of blockbuster

Caroline Garcia gave her thoughts on her first-round match against Naomi Osaka at the 2025 Australian Open. The Frenchwoman extended respect to the former World No. 1 ahead of their battle for having overcome several setbacks during her career so far.

Garcia, who was out of action after September 2024 due to a debilitating shoulder injury, will be hopeful of a good showing at her first tournament back in Melbourne. Speaking to the media ahead of her campaign, the former World No. 4 gave props to the four-time Major winner Osaka, who launched a respectable comeback on the WTA Tour last year after returning from maternity leave.

The 31-year-old praised Naomi Osaka's tennis skills and offbeat personality while insisting that she looked forward to their fifth-career encounter.

"She's a great champion, great person. Went through some ups and downs, and it's very nice to see her coming back for herself but also for the tennis," Caroline Garcia told the media in Melbourne on Friday. "Yeah, it's going to be a great match to play, for sure."

Caroline Garcia also touched upon the fact that they faced off thrice last year, maintaining that the keys for both players to winning this match-up was in their aggressive intent.

"Yeah, we played three times last year," she added. "So, I mean, obviously we are both aggressive players and trying to get the control of the rally very quickly with big serves."

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Naomi Osaka and Caroline Garcia are tied 2-2 in their head-to-head meetings on the WTA Tour

Naomi Osaka practices at Rod Laver Arena (Source: Getty)

Naomi Osaka and Caroline Garcia are all set to renew their rivalry at the 2025 Australian Open next week. Osaka and Garcia have split their four career meetings, with three of them coming in 2024.

Osaka first beat Garcia in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open, a tournament that she went on to win. The Frenchwoman then got the better of the former World No. 1 three years later in Melbourne.

The two players then faced off again at the Doha Open in February and the Miami Open in March. While Osaka won the first match, Garcia reversed the result in Miami a month later to bring their head-to-head record to 2-2.

The four-time Major winner comes into this match-up on the back of a runner-up finish at last week's ASB Classic - a tune-up event to the Australian Open. She will be eager to replicate her 2019 and 2021 title-winning results in Melbourne.