‘Fired up’ new mother Naomi Osaka targets Grand Slam return at Australian Open
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Naomi Osaka has not played since September 2022.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
NEW YORK – Naomi Osaka did not bring any rackets with her when she arrived at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Wednesday afternoon, as she had no plans to play tennis.
But the four-time Grand Slam champion plans to return to the sport in time for the 2024 Australian Open, saying that her break because of her pregnancy “really fuelled a fire in me”.
“For me, coming back here, it means a lot,” the two-time US Open champion said.
“It’s like seeing an old friend that you haven’t seen in a long time.”
The 25-year-old Japanese star gave birth to daughter Shai in July and has not played since September 2022, when she made her last tournament appearance at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open owing to her pregnancy.
In an interview with ESPN at the US Open on Wednesday, she replied “yes” when asked if she would be playing in Melbourne at the start of 2024.
Osaka, who participated in a mental health forum with swimming legend Michael Phelps at Flushing Meadows, also said she was anticipating making a full-time return to the women’s tour next season.
“It’s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play,” she said when asked if she had set a schedule for 2024.
"I think some people will be happy with that. I think it’s (playing more) because I realise like I don’t know how the beginning of the year is going to go for me.
“I don’t know the level of play and I think I kind of have to ease into it.
“So, at the very least, I’m going to set myself up for a very good end of the year.”
The top-ranked player in the world in 2019, Osaka – who grew up in the United States – is now ranked 603rd.
She has four Grand Slam singles titles, with triumphs in the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020.
The Japanese added that she has "definitely" missed competing during the break and that she is eager to return.
"I've been watching matches and I'm like, I wish I was playing too," she said.
“I actually felt lonely during my pregnancy just because I felt like I wasn’t able to do a lot of things.
"But I'm in this position now and I'm very grateful. I really love my daughter a lot, but it has really fuelled a fire in me."
REUTERS, AFP, NYTIMES
