2024-01-01 10:52:29
In terms of great comebacks in the world of tennis, it’s not just Rafael Nadal… Even if the Spaniard hogs the spotlight at the start of the season, other players are putting an end to a long absence. Starting with Naomi Osaka.
After 15 months of eclipse, the Japanese, 26, returned to competition – and victory – against the German Tamara Korpatsch in the first round of the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane. The former world No. 1, winner of four Grand Slams (including two Australian Opens), won in 1h47 on the Pat Rafter court (6-3, 7/6 (9))
“I was very nervous, but I was happy to be there,” summarized Osaka, who had not set foot on the circuit since September 2022. Tormented by mental health problems, the companion of the rapper Cordae had put her career on hold before giving birth to her first child last July.
Naomi Osaka after winning her 1st match back as a mom:
“I feel like the last couple years I played before I had my daughter I didn’t return as much love as I was given. That’s what I want to do on this chapter. I just really appreciate people coming out & people knowing me and… pic.twitter.com/INIp9lDSlp
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 1, 2024
A motherhood that made her a different and perhaps more open athlete. Osaka believes that the arrival of her daughter changed her vision of the game and that she had felt too isolated from fans and other players in her first life as an athlete. “The last two years I played before having my daughter, I didn’t give back as much love as I was given,” she explains. I really feel like this is what I want to do now. I really appreciate people coming to support me.”
Osaka also wants to be a source of inspiration for her little Shai. “I want to show Shai that she is capable of anything,” she explained before entering the fray. That’s one of my main goals and one of the reasons I want to be back. Being a mother has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things. Giving birth was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. It made me feel physically capable of handling many things. »
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