Naomi Osaka Advances at Australian Open While LA Wildfires Threaten Her Home

Osaka balances her return to Grand Slam competition with concerns over wildfires near her Los Angeles residence, displacing over 150,000 people.

Naomi Osaka defeated Caroline Garcia in the first round of the Australian Open with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory, marking her first Grand Slam win since 2022.
Wildfires in Los Angeles, just three blocks from her Beverly Hills home, have destroyed 10,000 buildings, displaced 150,000 people, and caused over $8 billion in damages.
Osaka sent someone to retrieve her daughter Shai’s birth certificate and other keepsakes from her home, citing concerns about the fire’s proximity.
The tennis star expressed difficulty staying focused during the tournament but emphasized gratitude for her family’s safety and sent love to those affected in LA.
Osaka will face Karolína Muchová in the second round, a challenging opponent who defeated her in the 2024 US Open and recently returned from injury.