'I don't have a good relationship with the doping tests': Naomi Osaka details 5 AM wake-up call in Paris

Naomi Osaka spoke about her experience after undergoing a 5 AM anti-doping test prior to Roland Garros. The four-time Grand Slam champion stated she doesn't "have a good relationship" with drug tests.

The former world No. 1 arrives at the French Open this time brimming with confidence, after winning the WTA 125k Saint-Malo title and reaching the Round of 16 at the Rome Open. Osaka has secured seven wins in her last eight matches, only falling to Peyton Stearns in a third-set tie-break.

Osaka recently managed to re-enter the top 50 after a few months, thanks to good campaigns on clay courts, and will have confidence as she debuts in Paris. A year ago, she was on the verge of upsetting Iga Swiatek, squandering a match point against the eventual tournament champion.

In a press conference before the start of Roland Garros, the Japanese star recounted being subjected to an anti-doping test shortly before the tournament began. She is set to debut this Monday against 10th seed Paula Badosa, in what will be one of the major attractions of the first round. "I don't have a good relationship with the doping tests," Osaka affirmed when asked about her recent anti-doping test.

"They take blood from you, they also take urine samples. My veins are hard to find. It's public domain. I was told it's a Japanese thing, I don't know if that's true," she mentioned. "They got me up at 5:00 a.m. and tried to take blood from me several times. They couldn't find my veins. They had to try three times before they succeeded. 'I'll try this arm, I'll try that arm.' I always have to tell them which arm I like the most, 'be careful, be careful with the arm I play with.' They came again at 5:00 a.m. The lady couldn't find my vein again. I had bruises for a while."

"Luckily, it wasn't the same person. I don't want to say anything bad about him, but today it was a success. I was actually going to the bathroom when they woke me up, so everything's fine."

Osaka was asked if the 5 AM time for the doping test was chosen randomly or if it was her preferred time. "No, it's always between 5 and 6 o'clock. When I was younger, I missed the slots twice because I was going to training. They would call me. I had to go back to the hotel. I always knew that at 5 or 6 o'clock, I can't train or be traveling to a training site. Sometimes I have to travel to be at training at 8 or 9 o'clock. I'm always shocked when they came a day before a Grand Slam. It really throws me off."

Osaka and Badosa have never faced each other on Tour. A few weeks ago, they were drawn to play in the Rome Open first round, but the Spaniard withdrew before stepping onto the court due to a recurrence of her back injury. This time, they will indeed face off in what promises to be one of the epic encounters of the first day, this Monday, May 26th.