Naomi Osaka announces her much-anticipated return to tennis after a year-long absence to have a baby… as the two-time Grand Slam champion reveals she will be playing ‘many more tournaments’ than before
- Naomi Osaka should enjoy a return to Melbourne, where she won in 2021
- The 25-year-old has not played on the WTA tennis tour since September 2022
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Naomi Osaka has confirmed she will be playing at the Australian Open in the new year ahead of her long-awaited return to the field.
Osaka returned to Flushing Meadows Wednesday afternoon to speak at a mental health forum at the US Open and spoke to ESPN where she revealed her upcoming plans on the field.
Osaka, two-time Grand Slam champion, has not been on the field since September 2022. Although an appearance in Melbourne in early 2024 will see a happy return for the ’19 and ’21 champion.
When asked on ESPN if she would play at the Australian grand slam, Osaka confirmed it.
“It’s definitely a lot more tournaments than I used to play,” Osaka said of her upcoming schedule. “So I think some people will be happy with that.”
Naomi Osaka returned to the US Open on Wednesday afternoon to speak at a mental health forum
The Japanese-American is a two-time Australian Open champion, winning in 2019 and 2021
The 25-year-old shared a series of photos and videos of her postpartum workout
Osaka explained why her plans to play more existed and explained that it was due to the uncertainty of how she will perform after giving birth.
“Honestly, I think it’s because I realized I don’t know how the start of the year will go for me,” she told the Four Letter Network.
“I watched games and I wish I played too. But I’m in this position now and I’m very grateful. I really love my daughter very much, but I think it really kindled a fire in me.”
She gave birth to her daughter Shai in July with her American rapper boyfriend Cordae.
“I don’t know the level of the game and I think I need to slow down a bit. In any case, I will prepare myself for a very good end of the year.’
Osaka pulled out of the 2021 French Open, revealing that she had previously struggled with depression after her refusal to give post-match interviews was criticized.
In January, she announced she was pregnant before revealing she was expecting a girl in June.
She has been in a relationship with the Grammy nominee Cordae since 2019. Last week, Osaka shared photos and clips of her workout.