Watching Idol Serena Williams Play Singles Again at Wimbledon Made Naomi Osaka ‘Really Emotional’

Serena Williams made her singles comeback on Tuesday (June 30). In a thrilling first-round match, Williams lost in three sets to Maya Joint, which marked the third consecutive time she lost in the Wimbledon first round.

Naomi Osaka was one of many who watched the tennis great in action again. The Japanese ace, who is bidding to reach the fourth round of the grass-court Major for the first time in her career, went past Elsa Jacquemot in the first round before securing another easy win, this time against Anastasia Gasanova. At the press conference later, she was asked about her idol’s comeback.

I think she lives in Florida, though. Honestly, I haven’t seen her in person. But I watched the match until the second set was over. Then I had to go to sleep because I was first on today. But it was really cool. Obviously, the montages they had before the match started made me really emotional. I watched her growing up. And then now I feel like I’m grown up and I get the privilege of watching her again. It was really cool.

It was Williams’ first singles match since the 2022 US Open third round, following which she called time on her career for the first time. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion last won a singles match at Wimbledon in 2019 (she reached the final and lost to Simona Halep).

Osaka, on the other hand, will be playing in the third round of Wimbledon for the fourth time in her career. The four-time Grand Slam champion will meet Daria Kasatkina, and if she reaches the fourth round, she could square off against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she holds a 1-3 head-to-head record.

Osaka last won a tour-level title at the 2021 Australian Open, and since then, she has played four finals, including in this year’s Bad Homburg Open, where she handed the walkover to Karolina Muchova. It was her career’s first final on grass.

Serena Williams suffers right knee injury during her singles match

Serena Williams‘ campaign at Wimbledon is not over yet because she is also competing in doubles. Williams and her sister Venus Williams were awarded the wild cards, and their match against the pair of Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio will mark the first time they will play a doubles match together since the 2022 US Open.

But the Williams sisters could also end up withdrawing from the match as the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion suffered an injury to her right knee during her singles match against Maya Joint.

It felt so good to be back on the grass at Wimbledon. I’m incredibly thankful for the wild card – and even more grateful my daughters got to see that it’s never too late to chase something you love. I tweaked my knee late in the first set, but I’ll be doing everything I can to be ready for doubles with Venus. Congratulations to Maya Joint on a great match, and thank you to everyone who showed up and showed me so much love. That feeling will never get old.

Serena Williams wrote on Instagram

The 44-year-old has already played two doubles matches after her return to the tour. She paired up with Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championships. Although they clinched the win in the first round, Mboko’s injury during her singles match forced them to withdraw from the second-round match. Williams later teamed up with Muchova at the Berlin Open (they lost the opening-round match).

The Williams sisters last won a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2016 Wimbledon. Williams last won a Major singles title at the 2017 Australian Open.

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