Naomi Osaka’s response to receiving Wimbledon wildcard speaks volumes

Naomi Osaka is playing at Wimbledon this year

Naomi Osaka is feeling "very starry-eyed" about her return to Wimbledon after a five-year hiatus.

The 26-year-old Japanese tennis sensation has been granted a wildcard entry into this summer's tournament, along with the likes of Francesca Jones, Ajla Tomljanovic and Brit star Emma Raducanu.

Despite having participated in the prestigious SW19 three times previously - with appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019 - Osaka has yet to progress beyond the third round.

However, with four Grand Slam titles under her belt, including wins against Serena Williams, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and Jennifer Brady, she's hoping for a strong performance this summer.

Expressing her excitement at receiving a wildcard entry, Osaka shared a photo of the Wimbledon logo on Instagram, captioning it: "Feeling very starry-eyed. Can't believe I'm here, wow."

She later added with laughing emojis: "A lady just asked me when's the last time I was here because they made some changes. I said 2019 and she chuckled at me." Osaka appears ready and raring to go at Wimbledon following a five-year break from the tournament.

In 2023, she withdrew due to pregnancy, while a leg injury kept her out of the 2022 competition, reports the Express. She took a mental health break during the 2021 tournament, and the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid.

Osaka will be aiming to add to her two US and Australian Open titles this year, but faces tough competition. The official draw for the tournament, set for Friday (June 28), boasts a host of big names including Katie Boulter, Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur.

Meanwhile, Raducanu also secured a wildcard entry into this year's Wimbledon tournament following an impressive start to her season. The former British No. 1 reached the fourth round of the Grand Slam in 2021 before being ousted by Tomljanovic with a score of 6-0, 4-3 - and she'll be aiming for a stronger performance this year.