Last week’s WTA tournaments did not shake up the world rankings, which are still dominated by Iga Swiatek. However, Naomi Osaka, the former queen of the circuit, continues to progress. After a notable performance at the ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament where she stopped in the quarter-finals, Osaka has gained 12 places to reach 113th place in the world. The Japanese, of Haitian origin, is back on the circuit after more than a year’s break and has been authorized to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.
Osaka hadn’t won a match at Wimbledon in six years and hadn’t played there in five. In her first grass-court tournament in five years, she expressed excitement at being back after a 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Diane Parry in the first round at the All England Club. “I’m just really excited to be here,” Osaka said. She recalled watching Wimbledon on television from her hospital bed a year ago, after her daughter Shai was born.
The focus at the tournament was also on other big-name players. Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka withdrew with shoulder injuries, and Andy Murray was hesitant to play after recent surgery. Osaka, a two-time winner of the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, was making a welcome return, though she has never advanced past the third round at Wimbledon or the French Open.
Before facing Parry, Osaka revealed she looked at photos from her hospital stay the previous year. “My mindset last year was just trying to survive,” she explained. With a win in May at the French Open against Iga Swiatek, despite a three-set loss, Osaka has regained her confidence. Her match against Parry, while stressful, showed she is willing to fight and accept mistakes along the way. “I think I just put too much pressure on myself,” she admitted, determined to continue her comeback.
Similar articles
