Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, faced a challenging return to Wimbledon, ending in a straight-sets defeat to 19th seed Emma Navarro. The 26-year-old Japanese star, who hadn’t competed at the All England Club in five years, was beaten 6-4, 6-1 in the second round.
Osaka, playing as a wildcard following the birth of her first child last year, struggled with consistency throughout the match. Her 16 unforced errors were a stark contrast to Navarro’s disciplined play, with the American committing only five. Despite a promising start in her first-round victory over world number 53 Diane Parry, Osaka couldn’t maintain her form under the Centre Court roof.
The pivotal moments came during the seventh game of the first set when four wayward shots from Osaka handed Navarro a break to love. An immediate opportunity to break back was snatched away as Navarro successfully challenged a line call that initially appeared to favor Osaka.
The second set saw Osaka falter further. A misjudged forehand with an open court and a failed drop-volley into the net allowed Navarro to break her serve right from the start, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Osaka’s journey back to top-level tennis has been marked by significant challenges. She missed the 2022 Wimbledon tournament due to injury and took breaks in 2021 to address mental health issues. Despite these hurdles, her return has been closely watched by fans and analysts alike, eager to see her reclaim her place among the elite.
However, her performance at this year’s Wimbledon suggests that she still has work to do to regain her former dominance. Osaka’s history at the tournament has never seen her progress beyond the third round, a streak that continues with this latest exit.
