Naomi Osaka gained 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 actually enjoyable and actually demanding on the identical time … the match I feel was just a little up and down, however I feel general it was one thing that I can take loads 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 constructive outlook, as she usually could be 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 Worldwide match final week as a result of she was throwing her daughter’s birthday celebration, she stated.
“I feel my mindset final yr was simply attempting to outlive,” she stated. “I truthfully did not know what was occurring after I gave beginning, however yeah, simply attempting to piece myself again collectively.”
She added, “It feels actually, actually cool. I really feel myself continually being stunned by issues on the bottom and it’s simply very 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 season’s Paris Olympic Video games, as will Coco Gauff, who additionally was a Monday winner at Wimbledon.