London: Naomi Osaka expressed her desire to mark her daughter's first birthday with a victorious return to Wimbledon, with insights from Novak Djokovic aiding her grass court preparation. The Japanese tennis star, a former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion, is set to compete at the All England Club for the first time since 2019.

Osaka, 26, faces Diane Parry of France in her opening match on Monday, a day before celebrating daughter Shai's milestone birthday. Reflecting on motherhood, she described it as a fulfilling journey and expressed gratitude for her energetic and happy daughter, calling it a dream to share Wimbledon moments with her.

Having clinched all four major titles on hard courts, Osaka seeks to improve her Wimbledon record, having reached the third round in 2017 and 2018 before a first-round exit in 2019. Her preparations this year included seeking advice from Novak Djokovic on adapting to grass courts, particularly learning to slide on the surface without fear.

Ranked 113th in the world following her return from maternity leave earlier this year, Osaka received a wildcard entry for Wimbledon. Despite her lower ranking, she showed strong form at recent tournaments, notably pushing world number one Iga Swiatek to the brink at the French Open and reaching the quarter-finals in 's-Hertogenbosch.

Reflecting on her performances, Osaka acknowledged feeling confident about her game despite not consistently advancing to the latter stages of tournaments this year. She highlighted learning experiences from recent losses and expressed optimism about her adaptability to grass courts, noting encouragement from peers about her suitability for the surface.

Osaka's journey at Wimbledon holds personal significance beyond competition, aligning her professional aspirations with celebrating her daughter's special milestone. Her blend of determination and reflection underscores her readiness to tackle challenges on the grass courts of Wimbledon. AFP