I can't believe it": Mladenovic claims 29th doubles title after seven months of hell

Kristina Mladenovic found victory again in Osaka by winning the doubles with Taylor Townsend. Away from the courts for seven months, the French player shared her emotion after this unexpected success.

Kristina Mladenovic is back. Absent since February, the former French No. 1 rediscovered the taste of victory on Saturday in Osaka (Japan) by winning the doubles alongside Taylor Townsend, world No. 2 in the discipline.

They defeated Storm Hunter and Desirae Krawczyk (6-4, 2-6, 10-5) in the final.

A quarterfinalist in singles at Roland Garros in 2017 and world No. 10 at her best ranking, Mladenovic has been one of the best doubles players for several years, now counting 29 titles in the discipline.

She hadn't raised her arms in doubles since 2022. A victory synonymous with relief for the 32-year-old player, who expressed herself on her Instagram account:

"Hard to put words to this... I can't believe I'm holding a trophy again so quickly! After being away from the courts for seven months, fighting against an injury and intense pain for months, without knowing if I would ever play again, being back is a victory.