Tennis-Osaka finding joy again as she kicks off Melbourne Park defence

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2022 Japan's Naomi Osaka during her first round match against Colombia's Camila Osorio REUTERS/James Gourley

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Naomi Osaka said she is enjoying her tennis again and is having fun on the Tour after the defending champion overcame an unexpectedly stiff challenge from Colombian Camila Osorio in her opening round of the Australian Open on Monday.

The Japanese 24-year-old, who also triumphed at Melbourne Park in 2019, won 6-3 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena, removing any doubts about her fitness after she withdrew from a recent tune-up event due to an abdominal injury.