Naomi Osaka revealed she wept after letting slip a 5-2 third-set lead, and a match point, against world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the second round at Roland Garros.

But as the clay dust settled, she could see the positives after playing her part in one of the great Grand Slam blockbusters.

“You know I have my little book, right? In it today I just wrote: ‘I’m proud of you’,” Osaka revealed after pushing the two-time defending champion for almost three hours at Court Philippe Chatrier.

SWIATEK v OSAKA: Battle of four-time Grand Slam champions

“I think for me, like, saying that to myself, it gives me a lot of power, because … sometimes I curse myself out in my head and it’s quite a negative feeling.

“I would just say I’m proud of the journey. Hopefully it will get more and more positive.

“(It was) probably the most fun match that I have played so far. It just felt really incredible, the atmosphere, and how fun I guess everyone in the crowd was having too.

“It was definitely very memorable for me.”

Osaka’s quality and credentials are undeniable. She is a four-time Grand Slam winner and former world No.1, who has slashed her ranking to world No.134 after being ranked outside the top 800 at the Australian Open.

In her 2024 comeback as a mother, Osaka has committed to a fuller schedule and a willingness to compete more regularly on clay, and revealed how specifically she has worked on her movement – even undertaking several ballet classes.

“I definitely feel a lot better. I did feel like it was a dance. It’s just fun to slide,” Osaka said of the surface.

“I feel like very aware of my body in ways that I’ve never felt before.”

Naomi Osaka slides into a forehand in her second-round match against Iga Swiatek, on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros. [Getty Images]

But even with those improvements, and that resume, beating Swiatek would nevertheless have represented an upset of epic proportions.

Swiatek is also a four-time Grand Slam champion, but three of her major titles have come on the very clay courts where she was facing Osaka, whose Slam victories have all come on hard courts.

The reigning Madrid and Rome champion had marched into Paris on a 12-match winning streak and dismantled Leolia Jeanjean in round one. Increasingly dominant at Roland Garros, many expected Swiatek to administer Osaka a clay-court lesson.

But she was simply not allowed to.

“She surprised me because even she says that she’s not playing the best tennis on clay … but her shots were really clean and really heavy today.”

Iga Swiatek on Naomi Osaka

After losing a tight opening set, Osaka swept through 10 of the next 12 games, building a 4-1 final-set lead and holding a point for 5-1.

Her serve firing, she struck eight aces among 54 total winners. Swiatek, a player who thrives when dictating rallies, was consistently pushed back by the depth and pace of Osaka’s drives.

Osaka led 2-5, 0-30, and held a match point on serve at 5-3. But Swiatek dug in, completing a remarkable comeback to win 7-6(1) 1-6 7-5.

“I was kind of playing point by point. I had to frequently look at the scoreboard to know what the score was. (But) I was aware of the score when I was serving for it,” admitted Osaka, who finished with 16 more winners than unforced errors.

“Honestly, it’s not the worst. Like, I felt worse, for sure. I cried when I got off the court, but then I kind of realise I was watching Iga win this tournament last year, and I was pregnant. It was just my dream to be able to play her.

“I feel like I played her on her better surface. I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.”

Swiatek’s muted reaction to winning betrayed more relief than joy.

She was aware she had dodged a bullet, but was nonetheless pleased to have her rival back in the sport and pushing her to the limits on the biggest stages.

“I honestly didn’t believe I could win … but it didn’t change the fact that I just tried to do work to play better,” Swiatek said.

“She surprised me because even she says that she’s not playing the best tennis on clay … but her shots were really clean and really heavy today.

“I’m happy that she’s back. Maybe we can play another three-hour (match) next time.”

As Swiatek moves into the third round, having improved her career record at Roland Garros to an outstanding 30-2, Osaka’s clay-court season comes to a close.

Iga Swiatek hugs Naomi Osaka after winning their second-round match at Roland Garros. [Getty Images]

Her next tournament will come on the lawns of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and she said she was excited by the challenge of putting in the hours to improve her game on grass, just as she has on clay.

She also departed Paris with something of a warning to the rest of the tour.

“I think, like, I’m growing every tournament,” Osaka said.

“I also said in Australia that I’m kind of setting myself up for September anyway.”