Naomi Osaka admits she is unsure how much of a threat she will pose at her comeback event in Brisbane next week.
The four-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played on the Tour since September 2022 after taking time away to give birth to her first child. A baby girl called Shai who was born in July. She is the latest player to return to the sport as a mother after the likes of Elina Svitolina, Victoria Azarenka and others.
“Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Osaka told The Brisbane International website.
Osaka is still only 26 years old but has already achieved various milestones during her career. These include holding the world No.1 ranking for 25 weeks, winning seven WTA titles and earning more than $21M in prize money.
Now the American-based Japanese player is ready to return to the main stage of tennis once again with a new source of motivation to play.
“Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through,” she said.
“It’s definitely made me feel like physically I can handle a lot.
“I want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here.”
Guiding her on the tour will be coach Wim Fissette, whom she has previously worked with. Also in her team is performance coach Florian Zitzelsberger. Their first test will be the Brisbane International which is an event that Osaka has reached the semi-finals at on two previous occasions in 2019 and 2022.
“That’s a tough question because I haven’t played in more than a year. I don’t know,” she commented on her chances at this year’s event.
“I think I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven’t had any match play.
“I think I’m just embracing the fact that it’s my first tournament in a very long time. I’m just trying to have fun and do well at the same time.”
This year’s Brisbane main draw has been expanded to a size of 64 players with 16 of those being seeded. However, Osaka will not be one of them and therefore could face a high-ranked player in her opening match at the tournament which will begin on Sunday.
