Naomi Osaka's opponent Caroline Garcia makes her feelings clear about drawing the 2-time champion again in Australian Open 1R

Naomi Osaka's opponent Caroline Garcia made her feelings known after drawing the former World No.1 again in the first round of the Australian Open. Garcia faced Osaka in the first round of the Melbourne Major last year and emerged victorious 6-4, 7-6(2).

The 2025 Australian Open draw took place on Thursday, which saw the two being drawn together in the first round again. Reacting to the draw, Garcia humorously wrote on social media that while it was a new year, the draw remained the same.

“New year, same draw 🔥 💣 @AustralianOpen This is starting to be a classic @naomiosaka 😂 ," Garcia posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Naomi Osaka and Garcia have competed against each other four times on the WTA Tour, with their head-to-head level at 2-2. Last year, they faced off thrice, with their first encounter coming at the Australian Open, where the French emerged victorious. Following that, Osaka won their next encounter at the first round of the 2024 Qatar Open. Their most recent match-up was in the third round of the Miami Open, which Garcia won 7-6(4), 7-5.

This year, Naomi Osaka started her season with a runner-up finish at the ASB Classic. Seeded seventh in the tournament, she defeated qualifier Lina Glushko and Julia Grabher in the opening rounds. In the quarterfinals, the Japanese overcame Hailey Baptiste before securing her place in the final with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Alycia Parks.

In the final, Osaka dominated the first set with a 6-4 win against Clara Tauson but was forced to retire from the match due to an abdominal injury.

Meanwhile, Caroline Garcia will play her first match of the 2025 season at the Australian Open, facing Osaka in the first round. The victor of this match will advance to play either 20th seed Karolina Muchova or Argentine Nadia Podoroska.

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A look into Naomi Osaka & Caroline Garcia's best performances at the Australian Open

Naomi Osaka & Caroline Garcia at the 2024 Australian Open [Source: Getty]

Naomi Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion, winning the title in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, she entered the Melbourne Major as the fourth seed and defeated players such as Magda Linette, Tamara Zidansek, Hsieh Su-Wei, Anastasija Sevastova, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova before defeating Petra Kvitova in the final to claim the title.

At the 2021 Australian Open, the Japanese triumphed over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Caroline Garcia, Ons Jabeur, and Garbine Muguruza in the first four rounds. She then defeated Hsieh Su-wei in the quarterfinals and Serena Williams in the semifinals before clinching her second Slam Down Under by defeating Jennifer Brady.

On the other hand, Caroline Garcia's most notable performance at the Australian Open came in 2018 and 2023 when she reached the fourth round. In 2018, Garcia defeated Carina Witthoft, Marketa Vondrousova, and Aliaksandra Sasnovich before losing to Madison Keys in the fourth round.

At the 2023 Australian Open, the former World No. 4 overcame the likes of Katherine Sebov, Leylah Fernandez, and Laura Siegemund before ultimately losing to Magda Linette in the fourth round.