Former WTA world number one Naomi Osaka will return to tennis at the Brisbane International.
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Osaka took a break after withdrawing from Australian Open 2022, and later she announced her pregnancy in January. She welcomed her daughter Shai in July. She hasn’t played on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022.
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“I am really excited about getting back out on court and competing”, said Osaka. The Brisbane International begins December 31 and finishes January 7, being the major event in the run-up to the Australian Open which starts on January 14. The Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner will use the tournament as a warm up for the Australian Open, which she won in 2019 and 2021.
“I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return. The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer”, added Naomi. She took a lengthy break after Australian Open 2019, and pulled out of the French Open 2021, revealing later that she “suffered long bouts of depression”. She had already taken some breaks from tennis in order to prioritize her mental health.