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Naomi Osaka's First Round Win at Wimbledon "Feels Like a Dream"

Naomi Osaka defeated Diane Parry to pick up her first win at Wimbledon in six years.
Pat Benson|
Naomi Osaka won her first match at Wimbledon since 2018.
Naomi Osaka won her first match at Wimbledon since 2018. | Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of how the next few weeks go, Naomi Osaka's comeback is already underway. On Monday, Osaka defeated Diane Perry in three sets in the first round of Wimbledon.

Osaka won the first and third sets, going 6-1, 1-6, and 6-4. It was Osaka's first appearance at Wimbledon since 2019, and her first win at the iconic Grand Slam since 2018.

After the match, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion did not hide her emotions. Even better, the fans at All England Club had her back.

Osaka spoke from center court, "It feels like a dream. I know I haven’t played here many times. I’m so grateful you guys came and cheered. I hope the match was really fun for everyone to watch."

She continued, "I’m really excited to be here. It’s funny because Wimbledon was the first tournament I watched since pregnancy. My daughter is turning one tomorrow. I’m really glad to be here."

Osaka will face the winner of Emma Navarro and Qiang Wang on Wednesday, July 2. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

Further Reading: Frances Tiafoe came from two sets down to defeat Matteo Arnaldi in first round at Wimbledon.

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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