"I didn't return as much love as I was given": Mum on a mission Naomi Osaka aims to give back as new tennis chapter begins
WTA
A new chapter begins for Naomi Osaka and the former World No.1 had the tennis world purring as the New Year began after taking down Tamara Korpatsch 6-3, 7-6 at the Brisbane International.
Osaka has not played since withdrawing from the Pan Pacific Trophy in September 2022 and became a mother in July cementing the promise she made to return at the 2024 Australian Open swing and fans were treated to a delightful display. During this chapter, Osaka admitted that she wants to give back after admitting she shirked the support she got during her last run.
Osaka said that she was super nervous in returning to the court and summed it up as 'surreal' but as she has said throughout, she wants to be a role model including to her daughter Shai but other young tennis fans just like the players she watched growing up. Next up is former World No.1, Karolina Pliskova.
"The last couple of years that I played before I had my daughter, I didn't return as much love as I was given," Osaka said on court after the match.
"I feel like that's what I want to do in this chapter. I just really appreciate people coming out and knowing me and cheering for me because I feel like there was a time I was just a little kid trying to watch my role models play.
"So it feels really surreal sometimes to be playing on these courts. I was super nervous the whole time."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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