Naomi Osaka delivered a commanding performance in her first-round match at Wimbledon, combining style and substance as she defeated Elsa Jacquemot in straight sets on Tuesday. The Japanese world No. 14 embraced the tournament’s traditions with a striking white lace kimono featuring a floor-length sheer skirt, drawing attention not only to her appearance but also her dominant 6-1, 7-5 victory over the French player ranked 82nd.

Osaka explained that her outfit was a nod to her dual heritage, Japanese and Haitian, as well as the long-standing all-white dress code that defines Wimbledon. “When I think about Wimbledon, it’s obviously the all-white,” she said. “It’s the oldest Slam so there’s the tradition of it all.” She described the kimono as an iconic silhouette connected to her Japanese culture, noting that its form alone evokes the garment regardless of color.

The match lasted just over an hour and 19 minutes, with Osaka controlling play early and maintaining her advantage despite a tighter second set. Her victory was a highlight on a day that also featured the much-anticipated return of Serena Williams, although the other leading contenders appeared to exercise caution in their opening matches.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced comfortably on Centre Court, defeating Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic 6-2, 6-3 in slightly more than an hour. American Coco Gauff, ranked seventh, followed a similar pattern, overcoming Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch 6-2, 6-1 in under an hour despite previous challenges adapting to grass surfaces.

Jessica Pegula, currently No. 4 in the WTA rankings, registered a 7-5, 6-3 win against Darja Vidmanova, overcoming nerves from an earlier exit last year. Pegula acknowledged the pressure, saying, “I definitely wanted to redeem myself a bit from last year’s exit. I wasn’t happy about that. There were a few extra nerves but also motivation at the same time.”

While Wimbledon’s first day carried an air of ceremony largely dominated by Serena Williams’ return, it was Osaka’s blend of cultural homage and strong tennis that stood out among the field’s smooth progression through the initial round. Most of the favourites advanced with relative ease, signaling the start of what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament.