It’s ironic that, of all the players over the first week of the French Open, the biggest winner was someone who lost in the second round.

Naomi Osaka exited the tournament just four days in but she departs Paris as the player who can take most from the opening week of tennis’ second grand slam of the year.

There are stars who play sport , and there are sporting superstars – and Osaka is unequivocally in the latter group.

It’s why her 15-month long sabbatical from tennis – between September 2022 and the start of 2024 – was such a loss.

The absence of Osaka caused a significant drop in the tour’s star power, and the deficit was keenly felt.

Women’s tennis, as it stands, is struggling to pull-in fans.

A sport that once boasted superstars like Serena and Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova is now sadly lacking individuals of their ilk.

For all the world-class tennis that the current big three of Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina can produce, they just don’t capture the public’s attention in the way some former players used to.

Which is why Osaka is such an asset for women’s tennis, and why it’s both a delight to see her finally back to looking like one of the best players in the world and a relief for a sport that needs an Osaka in its ranks.

The 26-year-old, who is of Japanese-Haitian origin but has spent most of her life in........

© Herald Scotland