Naomi Osaka Breaks Through Grass-Court Struggles at Wimbledon

JAKARTA, July 3, 2025 — After years of uncertainty on grass, Naomi Osaka has finally found her footing at Wimbledon. The four-time Grand Slam champion is approaching the tournament with renewed confidence, showing flashes of brilliance that suggest she’s no longer just a hard-court specialist.

Osaka, 26, cruised through her opening-round match with a composed and powerful display, defeating American qualifier Madison Brengle 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour. The Japanese star looked poised, calm, and aggressive—attributes that have often deserted her on grass in the past.

“This is the most comfortable I’ve ever felt playing at Wimbledon,” Osaka said after the match.

“I used to feel rushed and out of place on this surface, but now I’m learning to enjoy it, and that’s making all the difference.”

From Struggles to Self-Belief

Historically, grass courts have been Osaka’s least successful surface. Before this year, she had never reached the second week at Wimbledon and often exited early due to inconsistent movement and unfamiliarity with the pace of play.

But following her return to the tour in late 2024 after maternity leave, Osaka has approached the game with a refreshed mindset—balancing competitiveness with gratitude. She credits a new mental training routine and improved footwork drills for her better performance on grass this season.

Match Stats:

• Aces: Osaka – 7 | Brengle – 1

• Winners: Osaka – 25 | Brengle – 9

• Unforced Errors: Osaka – 13 | Brengle – 18

• Break Points Converted: Osaka – 3/4 | Brengle – 0/2

Eyes on the Second Week

With this win, Osaka moves into the second round, where she is set to face No. 19 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. It will be a key test, as Alexandrova’s flat and aggressive hitting could push Osaka out of rhythm—especially on the fast-paced lawns of Wimbledon.

“I don’t want to set any limits this time,” Osaka said.

“I’m just focusing on one match at a time and enjoying the process.”

Osaka’s presence deep in the draw would be a boost for fans and tournament organizers alike, especially with some big names like Coco Gauff already eliminated in early rounds.

What This Means for Osaka

Naomi Osaka’s Wimbledon journey has long been a work in progress. But in 2025, she’s finally turning the page—mixing maturity, joy, and powerful tennis in a way that suggests her story on grass may just be beginning.