Naomi Osaka's unexpected move leaves fans guessing

Naomi Osaka's return to the Grand Slam took an unexpected twist that left tennis enthusiasts bewildered during her match at the Australian Open. 

Despite the four-time Grand Slam winner bowing out in the first round against 16th seed Caroline Garcia, it was a mid-match act that stole the spotlight and had fans speculating.

Osaka faced a formidable opponent in Garcia, who secured a 6-4, 7-6 victory, ending Osaka's campaign earlier than anticipated. However, it was a moment during the second set that had fans scratching their heads – Osaka pulled out a journal during a changeover. The unconventional move quickly circulated on social media, triggering a wave of questions about the contents of the mysterious notebook.

Fans and commentators speculated on whether Osaka was reading match notes, coaching instructions, or even engrossed in an unrelated book. The Tennis Letter joked, "Naomi Osaka doing some reading during her match against Caroline Garcia. It’s either match notes or just a really good book she can’t wait to finish."

Garcia, gracious in victory, praised her opponent on the court, acknowledging Osaka's remarkable career and resilience after a 15-month hiatus. "Six months after giving birth, she’s playing amazing already. We have to watch out," Garcia remarked.

Osaka, reflecting on her performance, expressed disappointment at the outcome but recognised the challenges of her comeback. "The competitor in me is not happy that I’m not winning these matches," she stated. "I thought it was a really good match for me, and I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do."

Despite the loss, Osaka remains determined, attributing her struggles to not feeling entirely like herself yet. As she navigates her return to the game, Osaka emphasised the need to work hard and play more matches.