In this article, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Suzan Lamens, the Dutch tennis sensation who stunned the tennis world by winning the 2024 Osaka WTA title. Her victory in Japan isn’t just another tournament win; it’s a powerful statement of her rising status on the global stage. From the gritty qualifying rounds to her commanding performance in the final, Lamens has shown relentless determination and skill. We’ll explore the road that led her to this career-defining triumph and how this victory marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright future in tennis.
The Start of Something Bigger Even?
Suzan Lamens has been on the tennis court from a very young age. Born on July 5, 1999, she undoubtedly worked extremely hard to reach the moment that occurred last weekend in Osaka: winning a major WTA title at the expense of fellow qualifier Kimberly Birrell from Australia. She allowed Birrell only four games, defeating her convincingly 6-0, 6-4. At 25 years old, and especially this season, all the pieces seem to be falling into place for the South Holland native.
In 2021, Suzan Lamens truly began to make a name for herself, claiming the Dutch national championship by the end of the year. The following year, 2022, marked another significant milestone as she qualified for her first WTA main draw at the Bogotá tournament, where she reached the second round.
April 2024 saw Lamens break new ground by reaching her first WTA final at the WTA 125 tournament in Oeiras. She secured her first title there by defeating Denmark’s Clara Tauson, which propelled her into the world’s top 150 for the first time in her singles career. With her win in Osaka, she has propelled herself in the top 100.
Confidence to Attack Is Key
Earlier this year, during her home tournament at the Libéma Open, Lamens commented on her development: “I am constantly working to improve myself. I’ve always been good at defending, but I’ve noticed that my offensive game has progressed, making it harder for opponents to play against me. My good results give me the confidence that I belong in bigger tournaments. That mentality also changes how I play.”
Road to the 2024 Osaka Open Title Saw Her Drop One Set Only
What stands out in her performances in Osaka, as well as in Wuhan and Hong Kong, is that when she wins, it is often in straight sets. Her path to the Osaka final showcases this. She won both of her qualifying matches in straight sets, including the final against Eva Lys, a formidable opponent. She then moved on to defeat top-50 player Viktoriya Tomova 6-1, 6-2. Lucia Bronzetti in the round of 16? 6-3, 6-4. Only Romanian Ana Bogdan managed to take a set from Lamens before she eventually fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
After that, Lamens convincingly beat Diane Parry in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-4. And the rest is history. What Lamens worked for her entire life has been achieved: winning that big title.
Stay Close
And since she enjoys reading Harlan Coben thrillers, we can only say one thing moving forward: Stay close. Stay close to Suzan Lamens’ career.