In Tokyo, Naomi Osaka, feeling a mix of nervousness, happiness, and excitement, is gearing up for her much-anticipated return to tennis. The former world number one, now 26, is set to make her comeback at the Brisbane International later this month, marking her return to the tour since September 2022.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, took a break from tennis after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July. She has also grappled with mental health challenges and the pressures of the sport. Expressing her emotions about the comeback, she shared with Japanese broadcaster NHK.
As she eyes her return to competitive tennis, Osaka has set ambitious goals for the future. She expressed a desire to participate in the Paris Olympics next summer and aims to secure more Grand Slam titles.
“In the first chapter of my tennis, I kind of got away with just being myself and playing with my instincts. I think I want to be someone that understands the game a lot more. I definitely want to win more Grand Slams and I guess put in more time in the French Open and Wimbledon, and play the Paris Olympics,” Osaka stated.
Having won four major titles, including the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, and the US Open in 2018 and 2020, Osaka is poised to make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open in January. She highlighted a shift in mindset as she returns to the sport as a mother.
“I’ve never been a person that’s really good at playing for myself, if that makes sense. So I kind of like the feeling of having the responsibility of having to take care of Shai and wanting to show her around the world. I kind of feel more like I’m playing for her,” Osaka noted.
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