Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after profitable some extent in opposition to Diane Parry of France throughout their first spherical match of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
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Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Naomi Osaka received her first Wimbledon match in six years Monday, defeating French participant Diane Parry.
Osaka scored a 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 victory, profitable the ultimate two video games of the third set.
“It felt really fun and really stressful at the same time … the match I think was a little up and down, but I think overall it was something that I can take a lot away from,” she stated at a press convention following the match.
Osaka has been vocal about her struggles on grass courts, and is working to develop a extra optimistic outlook, as she usually is usually a “downer” on herself, she stated.
In 2021, the Japanese native took a brief hiatus from the game after pulling out of the French Open for psychological well being causes and dropping the U.S. Open.
She later went on an extended break after changing into pregnant together with her daughter Shai, who Osaka stated turns 1 on Tuesday. Osaka determined to not play the Eastbourne International match final week as a result of she was throwing her daughter’s party, she stated.
“I think my mindset last year was just trying to survive,” she stated. “I honestly didn’t know what was going on after I gave birth, but yeah, just trying to piece myself back together.”
She added, “It feels really, really cool. I feel myself constantly being surprised by things on the ground and it’s just really nice to win a match.”
Osaka will subsequent play American Emma Navarro within the second spherical of the match. Navarro will symbolize the U.S. at this summer time’s Paris Olympic Games, as will Coco Gauff, who additionally was a Monday winner at Wimbledon.