Sport · Singapore Bureau
Mladenovic exits Singapore Open but celebrates return to fitness
French tennis player Kristina Mladenovic has found a silver lining in her first-round defeat at the Singapore Tennis Open, focusing on her injury recovery rather than the loss to Japan's Nao Hibino.
LSN Singapore ·

Mladenovic's campaign at the WTA event ended in the round of 32 on Wednesday when she fell to Hibino, but the 32-year-old French competitor expressed satisfaction with her physical condition heading into the match. After a challenging start to 2025 marked by injury setbacks, Mladenovic's appearance in Singapore represents a significant milestone in her comeback bid.
The three-time Grand Slam doubles champion has endured repeated physical complications this year, limiting her court time and competitive opportunities. Her participation in the Singapore tournament marks one of her first significant test events following the injury layoff.
Despite the loss to the Japanese player, Mladenovic's primary focus remains on building consistency and maintaining the pain-free status that eluded her throughout much of the season. The result in Singapore suggests she is on track to regain her form, even as she continues her gradual return to competitive tennis.
Mladenovic's resilience through injury has been a defining characteristic of her career, and her positive outlook following the Singapore Open defeat underscores her determination to reclaim her place among the tour's elite players once fully fit.