Naomi Osaka Wins First Wimbledon Match in Six Years; Coco Gauff Advances

Naomi Osaka marked her return to Wimbledon with a hard-fought victory, defeating Diane Parry 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 in the first round. Osaka, absent from Wimbledon since 2019 and currently ranked No. 113, showcased resilience in overcoming a challenging match. Reflecting on her journey back to the court after a hiatus due to becoming a mother, Osaka expressed gratitude for her return to competitive tennis.

Meanwhile, other notable players also advanced on Day 1 at Wimbledon. Reigning U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff cruised past Caroline Dolehide 6-1, 6-2, while Emma Raducanu secured a 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory over Renata Zarazua.

In men's singles, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz started his title defense with a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 win over Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal, acknowledging nerves ahead of his match.

The day also saw withdrawals due to injury, including tournament favorites Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, underscoring the physical challenges faced by top-ranked players.

Osaka, a two-time U.S. Open and Australian Open champion, has yet to advance past the third round at Wimbledon or the French Open, emphasizing her ongoing development on grass and clay courts.