Jul 25, 2021 - Sports

Tennis star Naomi Osaka wins on Olympics debut

Axios

Naomi Osaka during her Women's Singles First Round match against Saisai Zheng of Team China on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games — Naomi Osaka of Team Japan plays a forehand during her Women's Singles First Round match against Saisai Zheng of Team China on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Tennis Park on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Naomi Osaka's Tokyo Olympic Games are off to a winning start, after Japan's tennis superstar beat China's Zheng Saisai 6-1, 6-4 in the first round Sunday.

Why it matters: It's the women's world No. 2's first match back after withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam tournaments for a mental health break — triggering global conversations about mental health in sports.

It's also Osaka's first Olympics.

What she's saying: "The Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a kid so I feel like the break that I took was very needed," Osaka told reporters after her win.

"I feel definitely a little bit refreshed and I’m happy again."

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Tennis star Naomi Osaka wins on Olympics debut

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