Naomi Osaka stated on Sunday that she is hoping to win Wimbledon and celebrate her daughter’s first birthday with Novak Djokovic’s support.
The four-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one from Japan hasn’t performed at the All England Club since 2019. The day before Osaka celebrates her daughter Shai’s first birthday, she plays the Frenchwoman Diane Parry in her opening match on Monday.
Osaka talked about her daughter and said: “She’s one on Tuesday so it will be a very exciting day. It’s been a great journey and I’m lucky and blessed to have a happy girl with lots of energy. It’s a dream to be here with her now.”
To increase her odds of winning this year’s competition, Osaka has reached out to seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic.
She said: “I tried to slide on grass. I asked Novak how he did it. I have tried it a few times but it has been scary. I think I may have to wait for the grass to get brown a little. But he told me that no matter if he falls, he keeps getting up and doing it. He said more to overcome the fear of getting hurt.”
Djokovic Inspires Osaka at Wimbledon Ahead of Daughter’s Birthday https://t.co/DPsO0M52XP
— The Japan News (@The_Japan_News) July 1, 2024
Naomi Osaka in 2024
LWLLWWLWLW Ranked world no.113, the Japanese played her last match on the 18th of June when she was defeated by world no.8 Qinwen Zheng 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the 1st round in Berlin (draw).
At present, during this year the Japanese achieved a composed 15-12 match record.
Naomi Osaka will face the world no.53 Diane Parry in the 1st round on Monday at 5:00 pm on Court 2. In the past, they have never played each other until now on the main tour.
Naomi won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Novak Djokovic in 2024
WWWWWWLWWL At the moment ranked no.2, the Serbian played his last match on the 3rd of June when he overcame world no.30 Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in the 4th round of the French Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Djokovic has a 18-6 record. Novak Djokovic’s most significant result of this season was getting to the semifinal at the Australian Open, Monte Carlo and Geneva.
Novak Djokovic will play the world no.123 Vit Kopriva in the 1st round on Tuesday at 3:30 pm on Centre Court. In the past, they have never played each other till now on the main tour.
Djokovic won 99 titles in his career: 53 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
