Naomi Osaka’s return to Roland Garros came with an unwelcome déjà vu—another 5AM knock from anti-doping officials.

Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference in Paris, the four-time Grand Slam winner recounted the early morning interruption that ended in bruised arms and familiar frustration.

“They’re kind of scary,” Osaka admitted, referring to the drug testers. “I don’t have a great relationship with them.”

This time, as before, the visit was routine—blood and urine collection—but far from smooth. “My veins are notoriously hard to find,” she said, half-laughing, half-wincing at the memory.

A similar episode played out last year, also at 5AM, leaving her arms dotted with failed attempts.

In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, drug testing is as much a constant as the baseline. While the rules are standard, their application can feel intrusive—even for athletes at the top of their game.

Despite the ordeal, Osaka enters the French Open riding a wave of momentum. Now ranked World No. 49, she’s clocked a solid 17-6 record this year, clinched the WTA 125K in Saint-Malo, and powered through to the fourth round in Rome.

Still, the red clay of Paris remains a puzzle she hasn’t solved—never making it past the second round. She opens her campaign this Monday against Spain’s Paula Badosa.

If Osaka’s performance mirrors her grit in pre-dawn adversity, this year might finally see her rewrite her Parisian story.

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