2023-11-10 12:37:56
Former world number one Naomi Osaka will make her return to competition at the WTA 500 in Brisbane at the end of December, the tournament organizers announced this Friday. The 26-year-old Japanese has not played since the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022, notably facing mental health concerns. She also gave birth to her daughter in July this year.
The WTA 500 in Brisbane will run from December 31 to January 7. This meeting is widely used by players as preparation for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season a week later. “I am still enjoying kicking off my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to make my return,” Naomi Osaka said in a statement.
“The Brisbane International is a really great tournament and it will put me in good condition for a great comeback this summer.” The former N.1 has four Grand Slam titles, two gleaned in Australia (2019, 2021) and two others at the US Open (2018, 2020).
“The situation Naomi Osaka finds herself in today is what makes working with her so inspiring. She wants to become world number one again, she wants to win Grand Slam tournaments. She gives me the impression of being someone balanced and comfortable in her own skin. She has her feet on the ground, she is mature and she embraces the beauty of motherhood,” says her trainer Florian Zitzelsberger in an interview with tennis.com.
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