Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Naoko Sawamatsu (沢松奈生子, Sawamatsu Naoko, born on 23 March 1973) is a former professional tennis player. During her career she won 4 WTA career singles titles. Sawamatsu reached a career high ranking of World No. 14 on 6 February 1995. At the time of the 1995 Australian Open her family survived the Great Hanshin earthquake and Sawamatsu went on to achieve her best Grand Slam result at Melbourne Park, reaching the quarter finals by defeating compatriot Ai Sugiyama, Laurence Courtois, Kimiko Date in the third round, Mary Joe Fernandez in the fourth round before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
Sawamatsu's most significant title came in 1993 at Strasbourg, she defeated clay courter Judith Wiesner in the final. Sawamatsu had much success at Strasbourg reaching the semifinals in 1991, final in 1992 losing to Judith Wiesner.
Sawamatsu retired from professional tennis after losing in the second round of the 1998 Japan Open to Monica Seles in a three set match 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. Sawamatsu had wins over the following players during her career Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Kimiko Date, Mary Joe Fernandez, Amanda Coetzer, and Conchita Martínez. She was the first player to be beaten by Venus Williams in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, at the French Open in 1997.
Sawamatsu's career prize money totalled US$1,107,264 with a win/loss record in singles of 205-143.
Since retirement, Sawamatsu has been involved in the development of the sport in her native country.
Sawamatsu is the daughter of tennis player Junko Sawamatsu and the niece of 1975 Wimbledon ladies doubles champion Kazuko Sawamatsu.
WTA Tour finals
Singles: 7 (4–3)
| Legend | |
| Grand Slam | 0 |
| WTA Championships | 0 |
| Tier I | 0 |
| Tier II | 0 |
| Tier III | 2 |
| Tier IV & V | 2 |
| Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 28 April 1990 | Singapore | Hard (o) |  Sarah Loosemore | 7–6, 3–6, 6–4 |
| Runner-up | 1. | 21 April 1991 | Pattaya, Thailand | Hard (o) |  Yayuk Basuki | 2–6, 2–6 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 24 May 1992 | Strasbourg, France | Clay |  Judith Wiesner | 1–6, 3–6 |
| Runner-up | 3. | 16 January 1993 | Melbourne, Australia | Hard (o) |  Amanda Coetzer | 2–6, 3–6 |
| Winner | 2. | 23 May 1993 | Strasbourg, France | Clay | Judith Wiesner | 4–6, 6–1, 6–3 |
| Winner | 3. | 24 April 1994 | Singapore | Hard (o) |  Florencia Labat | 7–5, 7–5 |
| Winner | 4. | 27 April 1997 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Hard (o) |  Yuka Yoshida | 6–3, 6–2 |