Naomi Osaka confirms plan to return at Australian Open, eyes busy 2024 after giving birth
- The 25-year-old Japanese star says she will play ‘way more tournaments than I used to’ in a bid to gradually regain her form
- Osaka takes part in mental health forum at US Open, as she opens up on dealing with life away from tennis during pregnancy
Former world No 1 and four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka has confirmed she plans to return at the Australian Open, as she eyes a busy 2024 following the birth of her first child.
The 25-year-old Japanese star appeared at the US Open on Wednesday for an interview with the tournament’s US broadcaster ESPN, after given birth to daughter Shai in July.
She last competed nearly a year ago, having announced her pregnancy in January, but will look to gradually regain her form at the start of 2024 with a packed schedule which includes Melbourne in January, where she has twice lifted the trophy.
“It’s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play. I think some people will be happy with that,” said Osaka, who was the top-ranked player in the world in 2019 but has now slipped to No 603.
“I think it’s because I realised 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.”
