Naomi Osaka gears up for return hoping to inspire daughter Shai
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Naomi Osaka has said that motherhood has changed her life and that she also feels a lot stronger physically.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BRISBANE – Naomi Osaka said that motherhood had given her a new outlook in life and the former world No. 1 hopes to inspire her daughter Shai when she returns to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International that begins on Dec 31.
The four-time Grand Slam champion last competed at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in late September 2022 and gave birth to her daughter in July, before announcing her highly anticipated comeback four months later.
“Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” the Japanese, who had mental health issues in the past, said on Dec 29 during a visit to Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
“I think I’m a lot more open-minded, a lot more patient, but also I feel a lot stronger physically.
“Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through, and 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.”
Osaka begins her final preparations for the Jan 14-28 Australian Open – which she won in 2019 and 2021 – by competing in a tournament where she has reached the semi-finals twice.
However, the 26-year-old tempered expectations about her title prospects in Brisbane.
“I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I feel definitely I’m nervous as I haven’t had any match play,” said Osaka, who will face Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch in her first match.
“I’m just embracing the fact that it’s my first tournament in a very long time, so I’m just trying to have fun and do well.
“I think the biggest thing is just walking onto the court and sort of absorbing all the energy and experiencing the atmosphere. For me that is something that I’m definitely going to treasure a lot.”
If she sees off Korpatsch, she will face three-time Brisbane champion Karolina Pliskova in the second round.
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka received a first-round bye.
Another player who has not played much but is back in action is Rafael Nadal.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion avoided meeting a seed first up at his comeback tournament after drawing a qualifier in Brisbane, with Russia’s Aslan Karatsev a potential second-round opponent.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, who is heading into what is likely to be his final season, has been out of the game for almost 12 months following hip surgery after his 2023 Australian Open second-round loss in January.
It was feared that the tennis great would never play professionally again. However, he has fought his way back and was granted a wild card to the season-opening event.
If Nadal advances, he will play eighth-seeded Karatsev or Australian wild card Jason Kubler in the second round, with fourth seed Ugo Humbert of France lurking as a potential quarter-final opponent.
Britain’s Andy Murray drew second-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in an intriguing first-round clash. The Scot is a two-time winner in Brisbane, and beat Dimitrov in the final in 2013. REUTERS, AFP
